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POKTAGli  AM)  PkAIRIl:. 


A  Story  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company. 


HY 


J.  MACDONALD  OXLEY, 


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PHILADELPHIA 

Hmerican  Raptis.:  Publication  Society 
1420  Chestnut  Street 


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I 


ERGUS  MACTAVISH; 


/ 


OR, 


PORTAGE  AND  PRAIRIE. 


STORY  OF  THE  HUDSON'S  BAY  COMPANY. 


BY 


J.  MACBONALD  OXLEY, 

Authof  of  "  Pert  Lloyd's  Boyhood,"  "  UJ^  Among  the  Ice  Floes,"  etc. 


"  A  boy's  will  is  the  wind's  wUl, 
And  the  thoughts  of  youth  are  long,  long  thoughts." 


PHILADELPHIA  : 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  PUBLICATION  SOCIETY, 
1420  Chestnut  Street. 


Y5  4  h^ 


160939 


i.i 


Entered,  accordiDg  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1892,  by  the 

AMERICAN  BAPTIST  PUBLICATION  SOCIETY, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


!.  (! 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

CHAPTER  I. 
FoRWAY  House ,    .    ,    ,       6 

CHAPTER  II. 
Pergus'  Playmates 21 

CHAPTER  III. 
PlARLY  Experiences, 38 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Trip  to  York  Factory, 52 

CHAPTER  V. 
Sight  of  the  Salt  Sea, 70 

CHAPTER  VI. 
lDventures  by  Sea  and  Land, 86 

CHAPTER  VII. 
JP"ew  Arrivals  at  Norway  House,     ...,,..    102 

CHAPTER  VIIT. 
!'he  Children  in  the  Wood, 118 

CHAPTER  IX. 

INTER  AT  Norway  House, 132 

8 


)       I 


4  COXTENTS. 

CHAPTER  X.  ^^^ 

Sowing  the  Seed, 15 

CHAPTER  XI. 
A  Talk  About  Race  Running, if, 

CHAPTER  XII. 
En  Route  to  Red  River, i', 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
A  Struggle  avith  the  Storm, F' 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Red  River  and  Home  Again, 21;?i 

CHAPTER  XV. 
The  Visit  of  the  Governor, 23i' 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Westward  with  Sir  George, 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Buffalo  and  Bear, , 2ff 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
A  Glad  Home-Coming, 28t 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
In  Peril  of  the  Plague, 805' 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Out  of  thk  Valley  of  the  Shadow, •TJ' 


FERGUS  MacTAVISH. 


CHAPTER  I. 


NORWAY   HOUSE. 

HEN  Fergus  was  a  wee  thing  in  her  arms,  Mrs. 
MacTavish,  though  fond  and  happy  as  ever 
lother  was  since  Eve,  thought  him  such  an  odd-looking 
little  fellow  that  she  had  less  eagerness  to  exhibit  him 
tliaii  mothers  are  wont  to  have  in  regard  to  their  first- 
)orn. 

His  tiny  pink  face  seemed  to  possess  an  undue  quan- 
tity of  puckers,  and  it  boasted  a  crown  of  undeniably 
red  hair  crisped  up  into  comical  little  curls,  from  beneath 
vhich  two  bright,  brown  beads  of  eyes  stared  out  with 
juch  startling  aggressiveness  that  it  was  not  easy  to  re- 
strain a  smile  of  amusement  at  the  baby's  appearance  on 
irst  making  his  acquaintance. 
This  was  a  cause  of  considerable  concern  to  Mrs. 
[MacTavish.     She  worried  lest  her  boy  should  grow  up 
ISO  very  homely  as  to  be  placed  at  some  disadvantage  in 
Imaking  his  way  through  the  world.     But  her  big,  warm- 
hearted, hard-headed  husband  did  not  share  these  ten- 
|der  ai)prehensions. 

"Tutt  1  Ailie,  lass,"  said  he,  half  impatiently,  in  re- 


6  FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 

ply  to  her  fond  forebodings, "  ye  need  nae  fash  yersel 
aboot  the  bairn's  beauty.  He'll  be  braw  enoo  in  good 
time.  Why,"  he  went  on,  with  a  sly  twinkle  in  the 
corner  of  his  honest  gray  eye,  "  ma  mither  always  said 
there  was  not  a  homelier  vean  in  the  Orkneys  than  my 
ainsel,  and  yet  surely  ye  canna  say  that  I'm  a  bogie  to 
look  at  noo." 

"  Indeed,  you're  not,  Dugald,  dearie,"  cried  his  wife, 
greatly  comforted  in  heart.  *'  There's  not  a  handsomer 
man  in  the  West,  if  it  is  your  ain  wife  that  says  it ; " 
and,  drawing  his  shaggy  face  down  to  hers,  she  gave 
him  a  kiss  of  loving  pride. 

Dugald  straightened  himself  up  again,  and  filled  out 
his  chest.  He  appreciated  both  the  kiss  and  the  comi)li- 
ment.  Though  he  might  be  the  handsomest  man  in  the 
West  in  no  other  eyes  than  his  wife's,  still  that  was 
something  to  feel  proud  about ;  for  this  he  knew  right 
well,  that  no  man  in  the  West  had  a  bonnier  or  better 
wife  than  he  possessed,  and  that  Ailie  Stewart,  of  Kil- 
donan,  had  refused  many  an  eligible  suitor  before  her 
bUie  eyes  fell  favorably  upon  him. 

It  was  well  for  the  MacTavishes  that  they  were  so  con- 
tent and  happy  in  each  other's  society.  Their  home  lav- 
far  away  from  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  they  must  needs 
depend  much  ui)on  themselves.  Dugald  MacTavish  was 
chief  trader  in  charge  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company's 
fort  known  as  Norway  House,  at  the  time  of  our  story 
one  of  the  most  important  posts  established  by  that  re- 
markable institution  which,  for  so  many  decades,  held 
sway  over  the  vast  territories  indefinitely  entitled  Ru- 
pert's Land. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


i  fash  yersel 
!ioo  in  gooc 
inkle  in  the 
always  said 
ys  than  mv 
11  a  bogie  to 

'i 

ied  his  wife, 
.  handsomer 
:  says  it ;  " 
's,  she  gave 

d  filled  out 
thecompli- 
man  in  the 
11  that  was 
knew  riglit 
or  better 
irt,  of  Kil- 
before  her 

ere  so  con- 
r  home  lav 
must  needs 
Favish  was 
-ompany's 
r  our  story 
►y  that  rc- 
ades,  held 
itled  Rii- 


i  Norway  House   is  not  hard  to  find  upon  the  map. 

jjoiiie  hundreds  of  miles  due  west  of  the  chain  of  great 

kes  which  divides  the  United  States  of  America  from 

e  United  Provinces  of  Canada,  lies  a  body  of  water 

uite  worthy,  in  point  of  size,  to  rank  with  those  inland 

as,  and  connected  with  them  by  winding  rivers  which 

rmed  the  only  highway  between  them  for  more  than  a 

entury.     This  body  of  water  bears  the  name  of  Lake 

'innijjeg,  and  reaches  out   northward  almost   halfway 

oward  the  icy  brine  of  huge  Hudson's  Bay. 

At  the  head.  Lake  Winnipeg,  full  sixty  miles  broad 

here  it  spreads  itself  the  most,  narrows  to  the  propor- 

ions  of  a  river,  and  receives  into  itself  a  small  sluggish 

tream  known  by  the  name  of  Jack  River,  beside  whose 

outh  stands  the  fort  called  Norway  House. 

This  word  **fort"   may   perhaps   suggest  something 

iiorc  imposing  than  the  reality,  calling  up  a  picture  of 

amparts,  battlements,    and  embrasures,   frowning  with 

annon.     But  that  is  not  what  it  means  in  the  far  North- 

ivcst.     Every  Hudson's  Bay  post  is  called  a  fort  whetlier 

it  be  an  actual  fortress  with   high  stone  walls,  strong 

towers,  and  heavy  gates,  as  were  the  Upper  and  Lower 

Lorts  (iarry  in  the  days  of  their  glory,  or  merely  a  low 

log  hut  or  two  with  storehouses  adjoining,  like  many  of 

the  outposts. 

Norway  House  was  one  of  the  best  examples  of  the 
ordinary  Hudson's  Bay  post.  It  -.onsisted  of  a  number 
of  buildings  ranged  in  the  form  of  a  square,  and  sur- 
rounded by  a  high  stockade  of  stout  pickets,  with 
stjuare  towers  at  the  corners  and  well-protected  gates. 
'I'he  sto(  kade  was  ])ierced  with  looj)holes  for  guns,  and 


t 


8 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


inside,  halfway  to  the  top,  ran  a  narrow  gallery  from 
which  its  garrison,  in  case  of  attack,  could  pour  adeadlv 
fire  without  exposing  themselves.     The  buildings  inside  I 
were  all  low,  one-story  structures,  solidly  put  together  of  I 
logs,  with  the  exception  of  the  chief  trader's  residence, 

This  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  square  and  was  of  two  i| 
stories,  and  much  belter  finished  than  the  others.     All 
were  well  whitewashed,  and  the  whole  effect  was  one  of  | 
great  comfort  and  security. 

The  fort  stood  upon  a  rocky  eminence,  in  order  to' 
command  the  country  round  about.  On  one  side  of  it 
lay  an  extensive  garden  in  thorough  cultivation,  in  which  1 
all  kinds  of  useful  vegetables,  a'-d  many  beautiful  flowers 
grew  in  great  abundance.  On  the  other  side,  stretched 
a  smooth,  green  level  that  afforded  a  fine  playground  for  I 
the  residents ;  and  the  voyageurs  and  Indians  encamped 
around  its  edge  all  summer  long. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  Fergus  MacTavish's  home  had 
many  attractions  from  the  outside.  And  now  for  some 
words  concerning  the  people  who  lived  there.  Dugald 
MacTavish  was  a  notably  fine  specimen  of  the  Hudson's 
Bay  official.  Born  in  the  Orkney  Islands  thirty-tv\o 
years  before,  he  had,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  through  the 
influence  of  an  uncle  already  in  the  service,  obtained  an 
appointment  in  the  Company's  service.  The  Board  was 
very  favorably  impressed  with  the  new  recruit.  He  stood 
full  six  feet  in  his  stockings,  was  broad  of  shoulder  and 
stout  of  limb,  had  a  frank,  pleasing  countenance  with 
vigor  and  determination  written  all  over  it,  a  clear,  gray 
eye,  and  a  resi)ectfiil  yet  dignified  manner.  It  was  just 
such  boys  they  greatly  desired. 


iilj 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


:allery  from 
)ur  a  deadlv 
lings  inside 
together  of 
i  residence, 
was  of  two 
»thers.  All 
was  one  of 

n  order  to 
;  side  of  it 
n,  in  which 
tiful  flowers 
■,  stretched 
ground  for 
encamped 

home  had 

for  some 

Dugald 

Hudson's 

thirty-tv\o 

"ough  the 

>tained  an 

Board  was 

He  stood 

Ider  and 

nee  with 

ear,  gray 

was  just 


**  That  lad  will  be  a  chief  factor  some  day,"  aaid  the 

airman,  "  if  nothing  happens  to  him." 

The  remark  was  not  intended  to  reach  Dugald' s  ears, 

t  it  did,  and  his  face  flushed  with  pleasure.  Provi- 
ence  permitting,  a  chief  factor  he  would  bt ;  and  this 
igh  ambition  had  cheered  and  stimulated  him  through 
1  the  long,  dreary  years  of  apprenticeship  in  the  snowy 
istricts  of  the  Mackenzie  River  and  Athabasca,  where, 

sides  the  few  other  employees  at  the  post,  he  saw  noth- 

g  but  squalid  Indians  and  dirty  half-breeds  the  whole 
ear  round. 

Sober,  shrewd,  active,  enterprising,  and,  above  all, 
igidly  upright,  the  accounts  of  him  that  reached  head- 

larters  were  uniformly  to  his  ere'  it.  Thus  it  came 
bout  that  when  the  fourteen  years  of  his  clerkship  were 
nded,  during  all  which  time  he  had  by  a  series  of  trans- 
ers  and  promotions  been  working  Eastward,  drawing 
earer  the  great  forts  forming  the  depots  of  supplies,  the 
udden  death  by  drowning  of  the  chief  trader  at  Norway 

ouse  created  a  vacancy  which  he  was  selected  to  fdl. 

No  sooner  had  he  settled  down  into  this  important  and 
esponsible  position,  than  he  bethought  himself  of  a  help- 
late  to  share  its  honors  and  duties  with  him.  Unlike 
lany  of  his  associates,  he  had  not  taken  unto  himself  as 

companion  the  dusky  daughter  of  some  Cree  chieftain, 
Inor  as  a  wife  the  dark-eyed  sister  of  some  half-breed 
tk)yagair.  Rugged  as  he  seemed,  there  was  in  him  a 
certain  sense  of  refinement  which  caused  him  to  recoil 
from  any  such  alliance.  On  his  way  to  his  first  post  in 
the  distant  North,  he  had  passed  througli  the  Scotch  set- 
tlements at  the  Red  River;  and  his  keen  eye  had  noted 


10 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


more  than  one  bonny  lass  whose  rosy  cheeks  and  golden 
tresses  had  photographed  themselves  upon  his  memory, 
and  made  the  dark  skins  and  raven  locks  of  the  girls 
with  whom  other  clerks  were  fain  to  content  themselves, 
utterly  devoid  of  attraction  for  him. 

This  was  why,  the  first  winter  after  hi  appointment  to 
Norway  House,  he  took  leave  of  absence  for  a  while  and 
made  his  way  to  Kildonan,  where  a  hearty  welcome  was 
ready  for  one  so  much  to  be  desired  as  a  son-in-law,  par- 
ticularly when  the  secret  of  his  coming  leaked  out.  The 
winter  is  the  time  for  rest  and  merry-making  in  the 
Northwest.  The  world  is  buried  under  snow.  The  far- 
mer's only  duty  is  to  see  to  his  stock,  and  there  is  ample 
time  for  sociability  in  the  long  cold  nights. 

Dugald  MacTavish  found  himself  the  object  of  the  best 
hospitality  the  settlement  could  compass,  and  he  enjoyed 
it  all  mightily  after  his  long  banishment  from  such  de- 
lights. The  belle  of  Kildonan  at  that  time  was  by  gen- 
eral consent  a  certain  Ailie  Stewart,  the  only  daughter 
of  a  retired  Hudson's  Bay  official. 

No  sooner  had  Dugald  met  her  than  the  question  of  a 
choice  of  a  wife  was  settled,  so  far  as  he  went.  But  Ailio 
did  not  drop  into  his  hands  like  a  ripe  apple  from  the 
tree.  She  had  many  wooers,  and  seemed  in  no  hurry  to 
show  any  marked  preference ;  so  that  Dugald  needed  all 
his  determination  to  persevere  in  his  siege  to  her  heart. 
However,  his  good  fortune  which  had  stood  by  him  so 
long,  did  not  desert  him  in  this  matter,  and  the  moment 
of  supreme  happiness  came  when  Ailie's  softly  murmured 
**  Aye,  Dugald,  I  will,"  put  an  end  to  his  harrowing  un- 
certainty. 


md  golden 
is  memory, 
3f  the  girls 
themselves, 

untment  to 
I  while  and 
Icome  was 
n-law,  par- 
I  out.  The 
ing  in  the 
The  far- 
re  is  ample  ^ 

of  the  best 
he  enjoyed 

such  de- 
ls by  gen- 

daughter 

stion  of  ci 
ButAilie 
from  the 
hurry  to 
ceded  all 
er  heart. 
^  him  so 
moment 
uirmured 
wing  un- 


FEEGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


IX 


Sorry  as  Ailie's  parents  were  to  part  with  the  light  of 
their  house,  *-hey  took  comfort  in  her  having  been  won 
)y  so  worthy  a  wooer ;  and  the  wedding  was  celebrated 
In  the  handsomest  manner  the  resources  of  the  village 
)ermitted. 

Great  was  the  rejoicing  at  Norway  House  when  the 
:hief  trader  returned  with  his  winsome  bride.  No  pale- 
face lady  had  ever  graced  the  fort  before,  and  the  little 
[staff  of  clerks  and  other  employees  looked  upon  Mrs. 
MacTavish  with  hearty  approval.  Her  bright,  warm 
[manner  confirmed  the  good  impression  made  by  her 
[sweet,  pleasant  face,  and  ere  she  had  been  installed  a 
[week,  every  man  connected  with  the  establishment  was 
[her  bondsman,  ready  to  obey  her  lightest  or  hardest  be- 
ihest  with  equal  alacrity. 

If  the  happiness  of  the  household  required  anything 
to  make  it  complete,  that  want  was  supplied  when,  a  year 
later,  the  possessor  of  the  pink  puckers  and  red  curls 
already  referred  to,  appeared  upon  the  scene.  There  had 
been  times  before  this  when  Ailie  MacTavish,  her  hus- 
band being  away  on  one  of  the  long  journeys  by  canoe 
or  dog-sledge  which  his  duties  made  necessary,  found  a 
feeling  of  loneliness  stealing  over  her,  and  could  not 
suppress  a  sigh  for  the  pleasant  companionships  from 
which  she  was  cut  off. 

But  when  the  baby  came  to  brighten  her  home  by  its 
presence,  and  fill  her  hands  with  dear  delightful  tasks, 
there  was  no  more  loneliness.  The  days  slipped  by  in 
unbroken  sunshine.  Her  precious  charge  throve  fa- 
mously. None  of  the  perils  which  beset  the  cradles  of 
children  in  the  centres  of  i)opulation,  seemed  to  have 


12 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


found  their  way  so  far  into  the  wilderness.  Measles, 
whooping-cough,  scarlet-fever,  and  all  the  rest  of  that 
troublesome  tribe,  the  little  man  knew  not ;  and  there 
was  nothmg  to  check  his  rapid  growth. 

During  the  course  of  his  first  summer.  Sir  George 
Simpson,  the  famous  Governor  of  Rupert's  Land,  visited 
Norway  House,  upon  one  of  his  tours  of  inspection; 
and  this  visit  gave  him  part  of  his  name ;  for  he  had  the 
honor  of  being  called  Fergus  George  MacTavish,  after 
the  great  Governor  himself.  He  was  called  Fergus  after 
Mrs.  MacTavish's  father,  and  George  in  honor  of  HIl 
Excellency ;  so  that  his  connection  with  the  Company 
was  as  intimate  as  birth  and  name  could  make  it. 

As  Fergus  grew  older,  his  appearance  decidedly  im- 
proved ;  and  by  the  time  he  had  as  many  years  to  his 
credit  as  fingers  upon  one  of  his  chubby  hands,  he  was 
far  from  being  an  ill-looking  laddie.  The  puckers  had 
given  place  to  freckles,  the  bright  red  hair  had  toned 
down  into  a  rich  golden  brown  that  nobody  need  be 
ashamed  of,  and  the  deep  brown  eyes  had  taken  on  a 
thoughtful  expression  which  well  became  their  owner. 

To  Mrs.  MacTavish  these  personal  improvements  were 
profoundly  pleasing,  since  they  went  side  by  side  with  a 
sure  and  steady  development  in  character  ihat  promised 
much  happiness  for  all  with  whom  Fergus*  fate  might  be 
intermingled.  Gifted  with  a  fine,  quick  temper,  a  strong 
will,  and  a  keen  sense  of  justice  which  made  him  very 
determined  when  he  thought  he  had  the  right  of  it, 
Fergus  was  not  at  all  the  most  tractable  of  )  oungsters. 
Nor  were  his  surroundings,  aside  from  home  influence, 
favorable  to  bringing  out  the  best  that  was  in  him.    I'he 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


13 


)ir  George 
.nd,  visited 
nspection ; 
ie  had  the 
wish,  after 
ergus  after 
lor  of  HiL 

Company 
it. 

;dedly  im- 
ars  to  his 
s,  he  was 
:kers  had 
lad  toned 

need  be 
ken  on  a 
Dwner. 
ents  were 
ie  with  a 
promised 
might  be 
,  a  strong 
him  very 
It  of  it, 
imgsters. 
ifluence, 
Ti.    I'he 


)nly  boys  available  as  playmates  were  the  dusky,  dirty 

httle  Indians,  or  the  sly,  saucy  half-breeds ;  and  among 

these  Fergus  found  fawning  courtiers  rather  than  com- 

)anions  on  an  equal  footing.     As  the  son  of  the  chief 

[trader,  he  took  rank  with  the  boys  after  the  same  man- 

[ner  that  his  father  did  with  theirs,  and  consequently  had 

[his  own  way  to  a  greater  *=\tent  than  was  best  for  him. 

A  boy  needs  a  good  deal  of  knocking  about  in  order 
[to   produce  a    healthy  symmetrical   development.      He 
[must  learn  to  give  as  well  as  take,  to  serve  no  less  than 
to  command  ;  and  this  important  lesson  Mrs.  MacTavish 
set  herself  to  teach  Fergus,  since  he  was  not  likely  to 
;  learn  it  otherwise.  After  the  goo^  old  Scotch  fashion  she 
ihad   made   the   Book   of   Proverbs    her    boy's    **  First 
Reader,"  and  her  constant  aim  was  that  he  should  grasp, 
not  only  the  spelling,  but  the  spirit  of  its  wise  teachings. 
*'  He  that  is  slow  to  anger  is  better  than  the  mighty  ;  and 
he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  than   he  that  taketh  a  city,"  was 
often  upon  her  lips.     Her  practice,  moreover,  was  not  a 
whit  behind  her  preaching.     No  one  ever  saw  her  comely 
countenance   darken   with   passion,  or  heard    her  soft 
voice  rise  into  shrill  accents  of  anger.     Her  blood  was 
hot  enough.     She  could  feel  as  deeply  as  any.     But  her 
self-control  seemed  never  to  leave  her,  and  there  was 
something  in  her  calm  expression  and  quiet,  though  firm, 
tone  which  wrought  obedience  as  promptly  as  the  sharp- 
est words  could  have  done. 

Mr.  MacTavish  left  the  management  of  Fergus  very 
much  in  his  wife's  hands.  Hib  bachelor  life,  away  from 
all  family  experiences,  had  not  fitted  him  to  understand 
the  mysteries  of  children,  and  he  found  he  had  little  pa- 


14 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


i     I 


tience  with  his  son's  whims  and  waywardness.  According 
to  his  notions,  a  child  should  always  do  as  it  was  bid- 
den,speak  only  when  spoken  to,  and,  in  fact,  be  a  kind 
of  flesh  and  blood  automaton,  moving  in  response  to  the 
will  of  its  parents  as  a  boat  obeys  its  rudder. 

Now  Fergus  was  not  at  all  that  sort  of  a  boy.  He  had 
an  active,  inquiring  mind,  and  might  well  have  been 
called  an  animated  interrogation  point,  so  constantly 
was  he  asking  questions.  He  possessed  a  strong  will  of 
his  own,  which  he  did  not  hesitate  to  exercise  in  opposi- 
tion to  that  of  his  parents  when  he  saw  fit ;  and  if  com- 
pelled to  yield,  he  would  do  so  with  an  expression  upon 
his  little  face  which  seemed  to  say : 

*'  You  are  stronger  than  I  am,  and  I  will  have  to  give 
in  ;  but  just  wait  until  I  grow  up,  and  then  we'll  see  who 
has  his  own  way." 

Mr.  MacTavish  had  not  failed  to  notice  this  expres- 
sion, and  it  greatly  irritated  him. 

**  Hech,  Ailie,"  he  would  say,  **  but  the  bairn  glowers 
at  you  as  if  to  say  ye  had  nae  right  to  make  him  do  yer 
will.  I've  misgivings  that  he'll  gie  us  much  concern 
when  he  grows  to  manhood." 

"  Ah  !  Dugald,"  would  his  wife  reply  serenely,  "  don't 
ye  worry  about  the  brig  until  ye  come  to  it.  Fergus  will 
learn  to  master  himself  in  good  time.  Just  be  patient 
with  the  little  man,  and  never  let  him  see  you  waxing 
wrathy,  and  he'll  not  fail  to  follow  your  example  " 

The  mother's  faith  was  not  without  foundation.  There 
were  times  when  Fergus  would  show  a  self-con lxoI  that, 
in  view  of  his  years,  was  little  short  of  heroic.  One 
day,  Mrs.    MacTavish   coming   quietly   into   the   room 


FERGUS   MAC  TATISH. 


15 


rhere  he  had  been  left  alone  for  some  time,  witnessed  a 
:ene  that  filled  her  heart  with  joy,  and  photographed 
self  forever  upon  her  memory. 

It  was  in  the  early  autumn,  and  one  of  the  men  had 
)rought  in  a  small  basket  full  of  fine  Indian  pears,  a  rich 
)urple  berry  of  very  pleasant  flavor,  of  which  Mr.  Mac- 
lavish  was  exceedingly  fond.     Fergus  had  been  given  a 
\ew  of  them,  and  as  she  was  leaving  the  room  his  mother 

^aid : 

'*  Now,  Fergus  dear,  do  not  touch  the  berries.  They 
re  for  your  father." 

When  she  returned  she  found  him  standing  in  front  of 
the  basket,  his  hands  clasped  tight  behind  his  back,  his 
face  working  with  contending  emotions,  while  he  was 
saying  softly  to  himself,  as  though  to  strengthen  a  waver- 
ing resolution : 

"I  maun  na  touch  them.     I  maun  na  touch  them." 

Throwing  her  arms  about  him,  Mrs.  MacTavish  kissed 
lim  again  and  again,  exclaiming  in  fervent  gratitude  and 
)ride : 

*'  God  bless  my  bairnie  !  Its  his  ain  Spirit  that's  lead- 
ing him.     Ah  !  Fe/gus,  dearie,  but  you've  made  your 
lother  happy  to-day." 

Fergus,  taken  by  surprise,  seemed    bewildered,  and 
rather  put  out  by  this  demonstration.     His  lip  quivered 
[ominously,   and   his  eyes  filled.      With   ready  tact  his 
nother  created  a  diversion. 

"There's  father  coming  into  the  fort,"  she  cried, 
[glancing  out  of  the  window.  ''Run  now  and  tell  him 
[we've  a  treat  for  him." 

And  off  Fergus  darted  in  glad  relief. 


16 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


!  1 


This  self-won  victory  gave  her  great  comfort  wheii  s ,« 
had  to  go  through  such  struggles  with  her  strong-willed 
boy  as  took  place  once  over  a  verse  in  Proverbs.  It  waj 
the  third  of  the  eleventh  chapter:  "The  integrity  of 
the  upright  shall  guide  them  :  but  the  perverseness  of 
transgressors  shall  destroy  them."  Quite  a  trying  mouth- 
ful for  a  little  fellow,  especially  as  he  was  very  sensitive 
and  could  not  bear  to  have  his  efforts  at  the  pronuncia 
tion  of  difficult  words  evoke  a  smile.  He  made  two  at 
tempts  to  repeat  the  verse,  and  failing  each  time,  closed 
his  lips  firmly  and  refused  to  try  again. 

Very  patiently  and  clearly  his  mother  went  over  the 
words,  syllable  by  syllable,  saying  : 

**  Now,  then,  Fergus,  bit  by  bit,  and  it  will  all  come 
to  you." 

But  nr  ;  Fergus  turned  his  back  upon  her  and  would 
not  open  his  tightly  shut  lips. 

"  Come  noo,  dearie,  you  must  na  be  perverse  yoursel. 
Just  say  it  after  me." 

Still  no  response. 

Realizing  that  a  crisis  was  at  hand  of  utmost  moment, 
Mrs.  MacTavish  laid  her  hands  upon  Fergus*  shoulders, 
turned  him  about  so  that  they  were  face  to  face,  and, 
looking  straight  into  his  eyes  with  an  expression  of  pro- 
found determination,  yet  utterly  free  from  any  trace  of 
temper,  said  quietly : 

"  Fergus,  you  can  say  those  words  after  me  if  you 
choose  to.  I'm  asking  nothing  unreasonable  of  yni; 
and,  neither  you  nor  I  maun  leave  this  room  until  you  do 
say  them." 

The  boy  looked  up  at  his  mother  with  a  strange  ming- 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


17 


It  over  the 


\g  of  doubt  and  decision  in  his  glance.     He  doubted 
Aether  she  really  would  carry  out  what  she  said,  and  he 
quite  decided  not  to  yield.     Reading  his  thoughts  as 
)ut^h  his  face  were  an  open  book,  Mrs.   MacTavish 
ted  up  her  heart  in  prayer  for  help  from  above.     She 
mid  keep  her  word  at  any  cost.     She  sought  for  power 
keep  herself  so  that,  however  long  the  contest  should 
idure,  no  sign  of  irritation  might  escape  from  her. 
On  the  situation  being  explained  to  Mr.  MacTavish  he 
fed  up  at  once,  and  was  for  taking  very  summary  meas- 
les to  put  an  end  to  it. 

''  Hoot !  Ailie,"  he  exclaimed.     "The  thing's  ridicu- 
ms.     Just  let  me  have  the  boy  for  a  spell,  and  I'll  soon 
ike  him  obedient  to  orders. ' ' 

"  No,  no,  Dugald,  please  don't,"  his  wife  entreated. 
I  It  is  not  to  break  our  bairn's  will  I  want,  but  to  bend 
aright.     Let  us  be  verra  patient,  and  it  will  all  come 
rht  in  the  end." 

With  considerable  effort  Mr.  MacTavish  restrained 
Imself  from  interfering,  and  remained  a  spectator  of 
^e  struggle. 

Mrs.  MacTavish  did  not  sulk  toward  Fergus.  There 
IS  nothing  in  her  tone  or  expression  to  suggest  that,  in 
[Q  language  of  diplomacy,  relations  were  in  anywise 
rained  between  them.  With  unclouded  cheerfulness 
^e  attended  to  such  household  tasks  as  could  be  com- 
Lssed  without  her  leaving  the  room,  and  gave  her  com- 
mands concerning  the  others.  When  she  had  leisure  she 
pd  to  him,  and  was  always  ready  to  answer  his  ques- 
ts and  talk  with  him.  But  if  the  child  forgot  for  a 
foment  how  matters  stood  and  made  to  leave  the  room, 

B 


18 


FERGUS   MAC  TA  VISIT. 


or  preferred  some  request  that  would  entail  so  doing,  he: 
face  would  take  on  an  expression  of  unmistakable  fim  | 
ness,  and  her  voice  would  be  very  distinct  as  she  said : 
*'No,  no,  Fergus,  not  until  ye  say  yer  verse." 
It  was  in  the  early  afternoon  of  Monday,  when  th 
strange  test  of  wills  began »     Summer  had  just  come  ; 
Norway  House,  and  the  day  was  glorious  with  gratcf 
sunshine.     Confinement  to  the  house  in  such  weaJi  • 
could  not  fail  to  be  very  irksome,  and  so  little  Fcnr 
soon  found  it.     Yet  the  hours  passed  by,  and  he  show;. 
no  sign  of  surrender. 

Sunset  came.     The  evening  meal  was  made  ready,  1),; 
Mr.  MacTavish  had  to  take  it  alone,  for  his  wife  and  sor|| 
had  theirs  sent  in  to  them.     When  it  was  bedtime  MkI 
MacTavish,  ere  she  tucked  the  little  fellow  snugly  in, 
lovingly  entreated  him  to  yield  that  his  lip  quivered,  anj 
his  eyes  filled,  and  she  felt  sure  she  had  won.     But  nn' 
He  would  not  open  his  mouth ;  and  with  a  heavy  sig': 
she  put  him  to  bed,  and  resumed  her  weary  watch. 

The  next  morning  Fergus  awoke   in  excellent  humor 
"got  up  on  the  right  side  of  the  bed,"  as  the  homcl 
savincj   is,  and   as   soon  as  he  was  dressed  his  motlu:  I 
l)atted  his  head  tenderly,  saying: 

*' Ye'U  say  yer  verse  noo,  dearie,  won't  you?" 
At  once  the  bright  face  clouded,  and  with  a  deterj 
mined  shake  of  the  gold-brown  curls  Fergus  broke  awavj 
from  her.     Very  hard  did  she  find  it  then  to  keep  bad! 
the  sharp  words  tliat  sprang  to  her  lips.    Had  she  obeyt'.;| 
the   impulse  of  the  moment  she  would  have  seized  t 
sturdy  little  rebel   arid  shaken   the  breath  out  of  iiii 
Hut  she  neither  scolded  nt)r  shook  liim. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


19 


p'Vcrrawell,  Fergus,"  was  all  she  said.     "It  will  be 
)ther  long  day  for  us  both." 

'rom  impatient  indignation  Mr.  MacTavish's  feelings 
mtied  to  intense  interest.  He  had  witnessed  and 
\en  part  in  many  a  contest  and  conflict  during  his  ardu- 

carcer,  but   this  was  something  entirely  novel.     So 

ich  was  he  impressed  by  his  son's  strength  of  will  that 

felt  half  inclined  to  sympathize  with   him,  although 

")pily  he  did  not  make  the  mistake  of  showing  either 

admiration  or  sympathy  by  word  or  look.  He  told 
)ut  his  boy  to  the  other  officials,  snapping  his  fingers 
)ly  as  he  exclaimed,  with  fatherly  pride  : 
I"  Hech,  man  I  but  he's  a  queer  body.  There's  no 
ir  that  he'll  not  mak  his  way  to  the  top  if  he  keeps  on 
KaiL^ht." 
[The  second  afternoon  was  waning,  and  Mrs.  MacTav- 

felt  the  strain  telling  ui)on  her.  She  found  it  increas- 
r\y  hard  to  resist  the  temi)tation  either  to  give  way  for 

present,  and  renew  the  matter  some  other  time,  or  to 

hands  upon  obstinate  Fergus,  and  by  threats  or  actual 
Ini^hinent  compel  him  to  yield. 

'riie  little  fellow  had  grown  very  quiet.     His  play- 
lings  no  longer  interested  him,  and  his  stock  of  (pies- 
)ns  seemed  exhausted.     He  was  standing  by  the  win- 
)\v  looking  out  longingly  u\H)n  the  scpiare  where  the 
ler  children  were  ])laying  merrily,  and  his  mother  was 
)iKlering  how  it  was  going  to  entl,  and  j^raying  for  sus- 
jining  grace,  when  suddenly  he  wheeled  about  and  came 
\\Au\  her.      His  face  was  lit   up  with  a   radiant  smile 
[rou-h  'AJiich  a  noble  ])urp()se  shon*',  and,  putting  both 
iiul>  apon  her  lap,  he  looked  up  into  her  face,  saying  : 


20 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


i,. 


"  Mither,  I'll  say  my  verse  noo." 

It  was  only  by  a  heroic  effort  that  Mrs.   MacTavi 
kept  herself  from  clasping  him  in  her  arms  in  ecsta!| 
delight.     But  she  knew  her  child  better  than  to  do 
and  simply  said : 

**  Come  then,  dearie,  let  us  say  it." 

Giving  her  his  whole  attention  Fergus  repeated  w 
for  word  with  admirable  distinctness,  **The  integrity 
the  upright  shall  guide  them  :    but  the  perverseness 
transgressors  shall  destroy  them,"  and  then,  as  thejji' 
up  feelings  of  so  many  hours  suddenly  found  vent, 
gave  a  whoop  worthy  of  a  young  Cree,  and  dashed  ( 
of  the  room,  while  his  mother  threw  herself  upon  !: 
knees,  and  lifted  up  her  heart  in  gratitude  to  God  for  t: 
precious  momentous  victory. 

Mr.  MacTavish  was  greatly  pleased  at  this  happy  ? 
lution  of  the  situation.     Outspoken  admiration  for  t: 
patience  and  self-control  of  his  wife  took  the  place  ( 
his  secret  sympathy  with  his  strong-willed  son,  and  Ail 
felt  that,  trying  as  the  ordeal  was,  the  result  richly  rcpa 
her.     Of  course,  as  will  appear  farther  on,  Fergus  h- 
plenty  yet  to  learn  in  the  way  of  prompt  obedience  ar.) 
self-control,  but  his  mother  never  lost  the  advantage  sh 
gained  by  that  decisive  victory ;  and  the  very  renieir.' 
brance  of  it  gave  her  strength  in  the  future  when  issiif 
were  raised  between  them  which  caused  her  deep  conccrr 


CHAPTER  II. 


FERGUS'    PLAYMATES. 


^ERGUS  had  no  lack  of  playmates,  either  human  or 

canine.      A  visitor,   coming  to  Norway  House  in 

Idsummer,  might  well  get  the  im})ression  that  the  })rin- 

)al  productions  of  the   fort  were  children  and  dogs. 

at  all  Hudson's  Bay  posts,  the  majority  of  the  clerks 
id  employees  formed  connections  with  women  of  the 
rench  half-breeds  or  the  Indian  tribes,  and  in  conse- 
lence  a  numerous  progeny,  showing  in  form  and  coun- 

lance  a  curious  blending  of  national  characteristics, 
krvaded  the  estal   ishment. 

Could  Mrs.  Mac  Tavish  have  had  things  just  to  suit 
kr  own  ideas  she  would  have  chosen  very  different  com- 
pions  for  her  boy.     But  it  is  a  shrewd  saying  that  we 

1st  take  the  world  as  we  find  it,  doing  our  best  to  im- 
fove  that  of  which  we  do  not  approve  ;  and  Mrs.  Mac- 

ivish  had  too  much  sense  to  spoil  her  son  by  instilling 
[to  him  any  notions  of  contempt  for  those  with  whom 

must  necessarily  come  into  daily  contact. 

If  Fergus  followed   in  his  father's  footsteps,  it  would 

among  these  semi-savage  people  that  his  life  would  be 

cnt,  and  the  success  of  his  career  would  in  large  meas- 
^e  di  pond  upon  his  skill  in  dealing  with  them.  The 
pier  therefore  he  learned  to  understand  their  passion - 

I,  cap-ricious,  unreliable  natures,  and  the  more  thorough 

21 


22 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


his  knowledge,  the  more  certainly  would  he  be  able : 
command  and  direct  them. 

j^t  the  same  time  it  was  supremely  necessary  that  K 
gus  should  influence  his  companions,  not  be  influeii* 
by  them.  He  must  show  them  how  to  improve ;  tl, 
must  not  teach  him  to  become  one  of  themselves, 
was  at  this  point  that  the  care  had  to  be  taken ;  and  . 
cordingly,  to  inspire  the  little  fellow  ahvays  to  hold  t! 
view  of  the  matter,  she  kept  constantly  before  him  thcr 
ami)les  of  such  youthful  leaders  as  David,  Alexander  i 
Great,  Nelson,  and  others,  whose  names  shine  like  s! 
on  the  pages  of  history. 

Fergus,  it  must  be  said,  took  very  kindly  to  tliis  notiu:j 
and  by  the  time  his  years  equaled  the  number  of  finj^tj 
upon  both  hands  he  had  acquired  a  commanding  \\ 
with  the  other  boys  that  was  quite  amusing  to  witin 
Usually  he  had  little  difficulty  in  securing  obedienc  c 
his  orders.    As  has  been  already  mentioned,  his  being  t' 
son  of  the  master  of  the  fort  caused  the  men  to  be  \i. 
civil,  even  servile  to   him;  and  their  sons  learned  ea\ 
from  them,  so  that  for  the  most  part  he  had  pretty  snio  ; 
sailing. 

The  dogs,  of  which  Norway  House  could  boast  M 
larger  stock  even  than  of  children,  were  of  all  size?! 
shapes,  and  colors.  A  city  boy  knowing  nothing  of  th;^^ 
Northwest,  meeting  a  pack  of  them  in  the  woods,  or  d 
on  the  prairie,  would  without  doubt  have  taken  them  ! 
be  either  wolves  or  foxes,  or  a  mixture  of  the  two,  anc] 
given  them  as  wide  a  berth  as  possible. 

The   original  stock   had   of  course   been  Esquimaux^ 
brought  down  from  the  icy  North  to  take  the  place  o:  J 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


23 


)rscs  in  the  wide  West  where,  in  winter  time,  they  were 

jpcnded   upon  for  all  the  traveling.     There  were  some 

irc  Esquimaux  still  to  be  seen,  recent  additions  to  the 

ick  of  hauling  dogs  brought  down  from  York  Factory, 
not  exactly  handsome,   they  were  very  striking  luok- 

ig  animals.  As  large  as  an  ordinary  Newfoundland,  but 
Ighter  in  build,  thickly  covered  with  long  coarse  hair 
laving  an  undergrowth  of  soft  warm  wool,  with  short 

larp  fox-like  ears,  a  ma.ssive  and  somewhat  pointed 
(ead,  dark  eyes  flashing  quickly  hither  and  thither  in 
ireless  search  for  a  bite  to  eat,  and  a  splendid  bushy 

lil  curling  haughtily  up  over  the   back,  they  were  fine 
types  of  strength,  speed,  and  sagacity. 
Mr.   Barnston,   who  stood  next  in  authority  to  Mr. 

[acTavish  at  the  fort,  owned  a  team  of  them  which  was 
Ihi.'  pride  of  his  heart.  He  had  reared  them  from  pup- 
)ies  himself,  and  thus  made  them  better  behaved  than 
my  of  the  other  dogs  at  the   post.     In  fact,  they  were 

lodcl  animals  in  every  particular  save  one  ;  they  had  ju.^t 

s  little  conscience  about  stealing  anything  that  could  by 

my  possibility  be  eaten  as  the  most  disreputable  of  their 

l(  >s  cultured  companions.     The  fact  of  the  matter  is,  the 

)topensity  to  steal  and  devour  i-j  as  much  a  part  of  an 
Esiiuimaux  dog's  character  as  a  bushy  curly  tail  is  of  his 
pli\si(al  make-up.  From  a  mitten  to  a  mattress,  from  a 
strap  to  a  buffalo  hide,  there  is  notlnng  to  wirich  their  diges- 
tion is  not  equal.  If  a  pack  of  hungry  ''  haulers  "  were 
|to  \)C  let  loose  in  a  shoe-store,  they  would  immediately 
j)ro(  ced  to  bolt  the  entire  stock  with  as  much  relish  as 
lif  they  really  were  of  opinion  that  there  was  nothing  like 
leather  upon  which  to  make  a  good  meal. 


24 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


i;. 


Fergus  cast  very  longing  eyes  upon  Mr.  Barnston'sl 
dogs,  and  his  father,  in  response  to  his  repeated  entreatyj 
had  promised  him  to  do  his  best  to  obtain  an  equally  fine! 
team  the  next  time  he  went  up  to  York  Factory,  when  ht 
was  relieved  of  his  promise  in  a  way  that  was  highly  sat- 
isfactory to  both  Fergus  and  himself. 

Sir  George  Simpson  took  quite  an  interest  in  the  boy! 
whom  he  had  named,  and  as  he  passed  Norway  House 
on  his  annual  inspection  trip  to  York  Factory,  never  failed! 
to  inquire  for  him,  and  to  congratulate  Mrs.  MacTavish| 
upon  her  son's  promising  progress.    He  would  also  brinj 
him  presents  from  Montreal  or  New  York,  playthings,^ 
the  like  of  which  had  never  been  seen  in  the  territories 
before ;  or  a  jaunty  cap,  or  stylish  coat,  in  which  the  proud 
little  fellow  would  strut  about,  looking  as  important  as 
His  Excellency  himself. 

During  his  first  visit  after  Mr.  Barnston  had  filled^ 
everybody  with  envy  for  his  superb  dog-team.  Sir  George, 
who  loved  the  young  people,  was  strolling  about  with 
Fergus  at  his  side,  when  they  came  across  Mr.  Barn- 
ston's  dogs,  stretched  out  in  the  sunshine.  The  Gov- 
ernor's quick  eye  noted  at  once  the  superior  quality  of 
the  animals,  and  he  inquired  of  his  companion  : 

"Are  those  your  father's  dogs,  Fergus?  " 

**No,  sir,"  replied  Fergus,  with  a  sigh  of  profound  re- 
gret. "I  would  they  were.  Father  has  nae  sae  gude 
dogs  as  those  ane." 

Stirring  up  the  beauties  so  that  they  might  show  ofT 
their  fine  points  in  spite  of  their  deep  growls  and  gleam- 
ing teeth,  Sir  George  looked  them  over  carefully,  seeming 
to  be  at  the  same  time  revolving  somethmg  in  his  mind. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


25 


"  They're  very  fine  creatures,  certainly,  my  boy,"  said 
;,  ''but  I  believe  I  could  get  you  even  better  ones." 

"Oh!  could  you,  sir?"  cried  Fergus,  all  aglow  with 
cpectation.     "I'd  be  sae  glad,  and  I'd  be  sae  gude  to 


lem. 


n 


Sir  George  smiled  at  the  boy's  eagerness.     He  had 

lade  the  remark  in  a  general  way,  and  without  especial 

ifcrence  to  his  companion.    But  when  Fergus  took  it  to 

limself  he  at  once  determined  that  he  should  not  be  dis - 

jppointed. 

'Yes,  Fergus;  I  think  I  could,"  he  responded,  pleas- 
antly.    "I  want  to  try  the  experiment,  at  all  events,  and 
lis  will  be  as  good  a  place  as  any  to  do  it  in.     So  what 
rould  you  think  of  J  team  of  Newfoundland  and  St.  Ber- 
nard dogs  ?  " 

As  might  be  expected,  Fergus,  for  lack  of  knowledge 
)f  either  of  these  canine  species,  had  no  opinion  to 
)ffer,  but,  having  perfect  confidence  in  the  Governor,  he 
[eturned  a  smile  that  meant  plainly  enough : 

"Whatever  you  think,  sir." 

Sir  George,  quite  appreciating  the  situation,  laughed 

he  said : 

"  Those  names  don't  mean  much  to  you,  Fergus,  do 
ley?  Well,  listen  now,  and  I'll  tell  you  something  about 
)e  two  finest  breeds  of  dogs  in  the  world."    And  there- 
ipon  he  proceeded  to  give  a  graphic  description  of  the 
jrand  dogs  that  come  from  the  bleak  shores  of  New- 
foundland and  the  snowy  fastnesses  of  the  Alps. 

Fergus  listened  with  open  mouth.  Sir  George,  enjoy- 
fng  his  eager  attention,  added  anecdotes  of  those  noble 
inimals  rescuing  persons  from  drowning  in  the  deep,  or 


26 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


perishing  in  the  snow  drifts,  until  the  boy  was  wrough: 
up  to  the  highest  pitch  of  excitement.  He  felt  as  thouga 
he  could  give  all  he  possessed,  or  ever  hoped  to  possci-i 
for  a  team  of  such  dogs. 

"Oh,   sir,"  he  exclaimed,  with  trembling  voice  an: 
palpitating  heart,    "dae  ye  think  you  could  send  m 
a  team  of  them?     I'd  be  sae  gude  to  them,  and  I'd  Ic 
your  driver  if  ye' re  ever  here  in  winter  time." 

There  was  the  tone  of  unmistakable  sincerity  in  th: 
Governor's  voice  as  he  replied  : 

**  Well,  Fergus,  I'll  do  my  best.  You  may  have  t 
wait  a  good  while;  but  if  I  can  manage  it,  I  will  send  yo: 
a  team  of  dogs  that  will  be  equal  to  if  not  better  thar. 
anything  in  the  North.  You  must  get  Old  Papaneki- 
to  break  them  in  properly  for  you,  and  then  look  atk: 
them  yourself." 

Fergus  could  not  contain  himself  for  delight  at  tli:> 
promise.  With  an  explosive  "  Oh,  thank  you,  sir ;  thank 
you,"  he  darted  off  to  tell  the  good  news  to  his  mot^  cr, 
the  Governor's  eyes  following  him  with  a  tender,  w.  " . 
look,  for  he  had  no  boys  of  his  own  then,  and  he  en\  xc 
Mr.  MacTavish  his  bright,  sturdy  son. 

The  Governor's  promise  took  a  long  time  to  fulfill. 
during  which  Fergus  learned  the  lesson  of  patience  a^ 
never  before.  The  way  in  which  Sir  George  carried  on: 
his  design  was  this  :  He  sent  orders  to  England  that ;; 
couple  of  St.  Bernards  should  be  shipped  on  the  compan\  '^ 
vessel  in  the  following  spring,  and  that  the  vessel  shouM 
call  at  Newfoundland,  and  there  procure  another  pair  of 
dogs,  taking  all  four  to  York  Factory,  whence  they  coulci 
easily  be  forwarded  to  Norway  House. 


M     A  wh' 

^a])pearc( 

:S  Fergus 
aiAlthoug 

Mney,  the 

Hniiratior 

^1  There  w 

^Hbe  raise 

■  sledging 

;»  standing 

»with  a  c 

^of  brow 

:m  aloft  wit 

M  was  very 

wt  were  evi 

:||  hair,  cur 

■m  what  sti 

'm  They  be 

J  dark  eye 
M      Fergu 
«  life  seen 

^H  though  1 

S  seemed 

:9  bing  th 

9  tails  in 

':fl  good  fel 

J|      ^Ir.  I 

'iJB  but  as  s 

i.«  the  con 

FERGUS   MAC  TA  VISH. 


27 


A  whole  year,  therefore,  passed  away  before  the  dogs 
[appeared  at  the  Fort,  but  when,  at  last,  they  did  come, 
j Fergus  forgot  all  the  weary  waiting  in  his  wild  delight. 
Although,  still  somewhat  the  worse  for  their  long  jour- 
ney, they  looked  well  enough  to  fill  everybody  with  ad- 
miration for  their  noble  bearing  and  splendid  strength. 
There  were  two  of  eac>.  sex,  so  that  a  whole  pack  might 
I  be  raised  from  tliem  if  they  proved  well  adapted  for 
I  sledging.  The  St.  Bernards  were  stately  creatures. 
Islanding  almost  three  feet  high  at  the  shoulder,  covered 
I  with  a  dense  growth  of  sofi,  rich  fur  in  varying  shades 
of  brown  and  white,  and  carrying  their  grand  heads 
aloft  with  a  calm  consciousness  of  their  good  looks  that 
was  very  impressive. 

The  Newfoundlands  were  not  quite  so  tall,  but  they 
were  every  whit  as  stout  of  frame,  and  their  raven  black 
hair,  curled  tightly  over  their  backs,  gave  them  a  some- 
what sturdier  look  than  that  of  their  European  cousins. 
Tliey  both  had  white  breasts,  massive  heads,  and  full 
dark  eyes,  with  a  good-natured  gleam  in  them. 

Fergus,  with  good  reason,  thought  he  had  never  in  his 
life  seen  such  si)lendid  creatures  as  these  four  dogs.  He 
hugged  each  one  of  them  in  turn  as  affectionately  as 
though  they  had  been  long  lost  brothers,  and  the  animals 
seemed  quite  to  appreciate  his  little  demonstration,  rub- 
bing their  noses  against  his  cheek  and  wagging  their 
tails  in  a  way  that  clearly  betokened  their  readiness  for 
good  fellowship. 

Mr.  Barnston  happened  to  be  away  when  they  arrived  ; 
but  as  soon  as  he  returned,  Fergus  dragged  hini  over  to 
tlie  corner  of  the  Fort  where  a  kind  of  temporary  pen 


iil'l''' 


28 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


had  been  trade  for  his  dogs  until  they  should  get  accus- 
tomed to  their  new  quarters,  and,  pointing  to  the  hand- 
some quartet,  cried  triumphantly  : 

"  There,  Mr.  Barnston — what  dae  ye  think  of  my 
dogs  ?    Wad  ye  gae  me  yer  ain  in  exchange  for  them  ?  " 

Mr.  Barnston  scanned  the  creatures  critically.  Were 
it  a  mere  matter  of  good  looks,  the  question  as  to  which 
team  stood  first  decided  itself.  His  dogs  were  out  of 
the  race.  But  good  looks  did  not  by  themselves  count 
for  much  in  the  Northwest,  where  the  plainest  men  and 
ugliest  dogs  were  sometimes  of  the  most  value  in  their 
own  way.  So,  pursing  up  his  lips,  the  canny  Scotchman 
said,  slowly. 

'*  They're  tolerable,  Fergus,  tolerable,  but  there's  no 
telling  what  use  they'll  be  to  the  train  until  ye  try  them. 
Maybe  after  then  ye' 11  be  willing  to  exchange  them 
lor  r^y  Huskies,  and  give  me  something  to  boot." 

His  enthusiasm  somewhat  dashed  by  this  shrewd  re- 
mark, Fergus  came  down  from  his  pinnacle  of  pride  to 
say,  in  a  hopeful  tone  : 

**  Oh  !  I'm  not  afraid  of  that.  Just  see  how  big  they 
be,  and  they're  sae  gude-natured  that  it  will  na  be  a  bit 
hard  to  te.ich  them  to  haul  the  sledge." 

**  We'll  see,  we'll  see,  Fergus,  when  the  snow  comes," 
was  the  somewhat  sceptical  reply;  for  in  Mr.  Barnston's 
mind  it  was  very  doubtful  if  the  big  brutes,  with  all  their 
strength  and  endurance,  would  make  good  sledge-dogs. 
They  undoubtedly  seemed  heavy  and  stupid  in  com- 
parison with  the  sharp-nosed,  keen-eyed  Esquimaux,  and, 
although  the  Newfoundlands  were  sometimes  made  to 
haul  light  carts  in  their  own  country,  to  no  such  use  were 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


29 


the  St.  Bernards  ever  put.     However,  Fergus'  faith  in 
them  was  strong,  and  he  looked  forward  to  the  winter 
rhen  the  trial  could  be  made. 

In  the  meantime  his  huge  pets  had  to  get  established  in 
their  new  surroundings.  This  was  not  accomplished 
rithout  a  good  deal  of  disturbance.  The  whole  band  of 
logs  and  mongrel  curs  into  the  midst  of  which  they  had 
:ome  greatly  resented  their  advent,  and  made  common 
:ause  against  them.  At  first  this  frightened  Fergus ;  and 
'hen  a  fight  took  place,  he  would  rush  frantically  off  for 

[his   father,    and   beg   him   to  hurry   and    separate    the 

[combatants. 

But  his  father  soon  taught  him  to  be  less  concerned. 
"  It  wad  be  better  to  just  leave  them  alone,  Fergus," 

[he  would  reply  calmly.     "  Yer  doggies  maun  make  their 

[footing  for  themselves,  and  its  not  much  hurt  they'll  get 

[in  doing  it." 

And  so  Fergus  was  led  to  control  himself  while  his  big 

[beauties  fought  their  way  to  the  position  of  unquestioned 
supremacy  which  they  presently  reached,  and  from  which 

[they  were  never  again  displaced. 

They  achieved  this  satisfactory  result  all  the  sooner, 

[because  of  the  fidelity  with  which  they  stood  by  one 
another.     They  invariably  went  about  in  couples,  and 

[often  all  four  together,  and  at  the  first  sign  of  attack 
joined   forces   for   the  defence,    displaying   a  strategic 

Isagacity  in  meeting  the  assaults  of  their  more  numerous, 

lif  smaller  opponents,  that  ere  long  convinced  the  latter 
of  the  folly  of  attempting  to  cope  with   such   doughty 

[antagonists. 

The  fame  of  Fergus'  dogs  spread  far  and  wide,  and 


30 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISFI. 


even  at  remote  Norway  House  they  had  many  visitors, 
The  Indians  got  it  into  their  heads  that  they  were  some- 
thing more  than  dogs,  and  looked  upon  them  wit!- 
feehngs  in  which  fear  mingled  with  wonder  and  admi- 
ration, while  the  officers  of  the  Company,  passing  to  m 
fro  on  their  trips  by  canoe  and  boat  brigade,  with  onr 
mind  coveted  them  keenly. 

This  much  has  been  said  about  them  because  they  were 
destined  to  play  an  important  part  in  their  young  owner  j 
life,  and  to  win  great  renown  for  themselves  by  render 
ing  services  of  inestimable  value,  as  shall  be  told  in  (l';-: 
time. 

We  come  back  now  to  the  companions  and  playm;iti\^ 
of  M;ister  Fergus  who  were  first  referred  to.  As  has  bur. 
hinted,  they  were  in  many  respects  no  less  mongrel  a 
collection  than  the  dogs  with  which  they  tumbled  about 
all  summer  long,  and  which  helped  to  keep  them  warm  in 
winter  time  by  crawling  close  up  beside  them.  Some 
were  pure  Crees,  others  half-Cree,  half-Scotch,  and  others 
again  half- French-Canadian  ana  'ulf-Indian. 

Fergus  found  that  the  Cree  boys  made  the  best  play- 
mates. They  could  generally  talk  English  about  as  well 
as  he  could  talk  Cree,  and  they  had  no  difficulty  in 
understanding  each  other.  They  were  for  the  most  part 
good-lo  king  boys,  with  well-shaped,  wiry  forms,  regular 
features,  clear,  black  eyes  bright  with  quick  intelligence, 
and  impulsive,  affectionate,  if  passionate  natures. 

Of  the  half-breeds,  the  French  were  superior  to  the 
Scotch.  The  latter  seemed  somehow  or  other  to  inherit 
the  worst  qualities  of  looth  parents,  and  were  apt  to  be 
sly,  lazy,  untrustworthy  beings,  prone  to  envy  and  spite. 


TheFr 

ierry,  g< 
rovideni 
their  v 
The  yo 
bppcr, 
Fergus'  fc 
tand  ;  fo 
[e  met  w 
|gc,  the 
rhich  the 
\{  the  tWG 
ictry. 
)oked  str 
rank,  pie 
Unlike 
^rvile   cc 
)irit  far 
bliief  reas( 

Uin.  ^1<; 
jcsitate  tc 
best  in  wl" 
rest  with 

)pinion  c 
On  the 
khe  Fort 
From  the 

rater  cal 
liver,  at 

Bclves  in 


in  uianaj^ 


FERGUS   MAC  TA VISIT. 


31 


The  French  half-breeds,  on  the  other  hand,  were  of  the 
lerry,  good-humored,  warm-hearted  sort,  rash  and  im- 
rovidcnt  in  the  highest  degree,  but  attractive  by  reason 
their  very  recklessness. 
The  youngest  son  of  old  Papanekes,  the  best  guide, 
rai)i)cr,  dog-driver,  and    canal  pilot   at   the  Fort,  was 
Argus'  favorite  companion,  a  preference  easy  to  under- 
tand  ;  for  so  fine  a  type  of  Indian  boy  was  not  often  to 
le  met  with.     Memotas  and  Fergus  were  nearly  of  an 
jgc,  the  latter  having  the  advantage  of  a  month,    for 
rhicli  the  Indian  made  up  by  being  a  woe  bit  the  taller 
If  the  two.     His  slight,  wiry  figure  was  in  perfect  sym- 
ictry.     He  had  regular  features,  bright,  black  eyes  that 
)oked  straight  into  yours,  a  clear,  brov>n  skin,  and  a 
rank,  pleasant  expression. 
Unlike  the  other  boys,  this  young  Cree  did  not  pay 
:rvile   court   ^o    Fergus.     He  showed  an  independent 
)irit  far  more  to  his  credit,  and  that  was  one  of  the 
^hief  reasons  why  the  Scotch  laddie  thought  so  much  of 
lini.     IMemotas  had  a  will  of  his  own  which  he  did  not 
hesitate  to  assert,  and  the  two  playmates  had  many  a  con- 
gest in  which  the  victory  did  not  by  any  means  always 
rest  with  the  *'pale  face."     One  of  their  differences  of 
)liinion  came  near  proving  a  serious  matter  for  both. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  ridge  of  rocks  upon  which 
the  Fort  was  situated,  sheltered  by  a  growth  of  pines 
from  the  northern  blasts,  stretched  a  wide  expanse  of 
rater  called  Playgreen  Lake.  The  waters  of  the  Jack 
Liver,  at  whose  mouth  Norway  House  stood,  lost  them- 
selves in  this  lake,  and  after  the  boys  became  ex})crt 
In  managing  a  canoe,  they  were  wont  to  venture  out  upon 


32 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Ill 


0", 


the  lake,  always  taking  care  not  to  go  too  far  away  frot  v| 
shore.     One  lovely  summer  day,  about  a  month  after  tlits| 
arrival  of  the  dogs,  Fergus  and  Memotas  paddled  thei; 
canoe   down  the  river  into  the   lake,  and  pushed  ouj'^ 
toward  a  little  island  a  few  hundred  yards  from  shore. 

Not  a  breath  of  wind  rippled  the  glassy  water  as  thei:  | 
canoe  cut  its  way  through,  and  they  did  not  take  long  tc- 
reach  the  island  upon  which  they  landed  for  a  ramble  • 
When  the   sun  told  them   it  was  nearing  midday,  thei 
started  to  return,  for  midday  meant  dinner,    and  thej 
were  too  hungry  to  like  being  late.     Half-way  acros\ 
Memotas  suddenly  remembered  that  he  had  left  behind 
sticking  into  a  tree  from  which  he  had  been  cutting  bark 
his  hunting  knife — a  keen  blade  given  him  by  one  of  the 
officers,  and  very  highly  prized. 

**  Me  must  go  back,"  he  exclaimed.  **  Me  left  ii, 
knife."  And  without  consulting  Fergus  any  further,  lit 
proceeded  to  turn  the  canoe  about. 

Now  they  had  been  on  the  move  all  the  morning,  anc 
Fergus  was  tired  as  well  as  hungry.  Moreover,  if  the\ 
read  the  sun  aright,  there  was  no  time  to  spare  if  th.v 
would  not  be  late  for  dinner.  So  he  answered,  rathe: 
shortly : 

*'Tut !  never  mind  your  knife.  We  can  get  it  aftr 
dinner."  And  with  vigorous  strokes  he  swept  the  ranui 
around  again. 

**No,  no,"  cried  Memotas.  "Must  get  knife  now 
Won't  wait  till  after  dinner."  And  with  increased  cnergv 
he  sought  to  j)oint  their  frail  bark  toward  the  island. 

Now  lie  was  in  the  bow  while  Fergus  had  the  sttrii, 
and  consequently  had  more  control  of  the  canoe.     At  the 


FERGUS   MAC  TAV^ISH. 


33 


e  time  no  headway  could  be  made  in  either  direction 
long  as  they  paddled  at  cross  purposes. 
*'  Haud  there  !  "  shouted  Fergus  as  his  companion  kept 

opposing  him.        *'  I  will  na  let  you  go  back  now ;  so 

maun  just  paddle  ashore. 

His  temper  thoroughly  aroused,  Memotas  took  no  other 
tice  of  this  command  than  to  work  away  still  more 
ergetically   in  direct   violation   of  it.       Fergus    was 
tting  very  angry. 
"  Haud  there  !  I  tell  ye,  or  I'll  gie  ye  a  crack  with  my 

die  that'll  make  ye  do  it,"  he  cried. 
Memotas  looked  over  his  shoulder  with  a  provoking 
in,  as  though  to  say : 

Try  it,  if  you  dare,"  and  kept  bard  at  his  paddling. 
Then  Fergus'  temper  flamed  forth.  Rising  from  his 
ees  he  leaned  forward,  and  dealt  a  blow  at  his  com- 
nion  with  his  paddle  tiiat  certainly  would  have  put  a 

)  to  his  paddling  for  awhile,  had  it  reached  its  mark. 
But  the  alert  young  Cree  was  not  to  be  taken  unawares, 
en  if  his  back  was  turned.     Almost  by  instinct  rather 

1  sight,  as  it  seemed,  he  divined  Fergus'  intention, 
d  ere  the  heavy   paddle   could    touch  him   his   own 
tcrposed,  and  he  wholly  escaped  harm. 
These  sudden  movements,  however,  proved  too  much 

the  balance  of  the  cranky  craft  in  which  they  were 

de :  and  just  as  Fergus'  paddle  slipped  harmlessly  off 

lemotas'  the  canoe  lurched,  and  went  over,  pitching  its 

tlcss  occupants   out  headlong   into   the    cold,    deep 

ter ! 

Now  at  this  time  neither  of  the  boys  could  swim.     The 
nuncr  at  Norway  House  was  always  too  short  to  warm 

0 


34 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


■.4*' 


the  waters  of  the  lake  sufficiently  to  make  bathing  ver 
pleasant,  and  the  Jack  River  was  a  small,  sluggish  strea:. 
not  at  all  suitable  for  swimming  in.     Consequently, 
had  not  occurred  to  Mr.  MacTavish  that  he  ought; 
teach  his  son  to  swim,  and  Memotas  had  never  bothert*, 
his  head  about  it. 

Down  they  went  only  a  few  feet  apart,  clutching  tigli 
to  their  paddles;  and  a  few  seconds  later,  thanks  tot^ 
wood  in  their  hands,  they  were  at  the  surface  agaii 
spluttering,  splashing,  and  trying  to  clear  the  water  frc:! 
their  eyes.  Happily  they  came  up  so  near  the  canoe  thl 
they  saw  it  at  once,  and  were  able  to  get  their  hare 
upon  it. 

But  the  smooth  bottom  eluded  their  frantic  grasp,  a: 
they  soon  would  have  sunk  again  had  not  Fergus  >i 
ceeded  in  getting  hold  of  the  stern,  and  Memotas  of  t 
bow,  where  they  clung  in  pitiful  fright.  All  their  an^: 
was  gone  now.  They  had  only  one  thought,  and  tL  'J 
was  to  save  their  lives. 

How  this  was  to  be  done  they  little  knew.    They  w  | 
a  hundred  vards  at  least  from  shore.      The  water  wav 
cold  that  they  must  soon  be  chilled  through,  and  the 
was  not  another  canoe  in  sight. 

"Oh!    Memotas,   we're    gaen   to    drown,"  groar 
Fergus.     "I'm  sae  sorry  I  tried  to  strike  you." 

Memotas  was  too  frightened  to  answer.  He  cou/^ 
only  hold  on  desperately,  and  look  earnestly  shorewaril 
Suddenly  his  face  lit  up,  and  he  called  out : 

"  Ycur  falhcr  !  See  1  He's  coming — and  the  dops 

Sure  enough  at  that  moment  Mr.  MacTavish,  aci-o^ 
panicd  by  the  two  Newfoundland  dogs,  appeared  on 


thing  ver 
ish  strea;: 
iquently, 
e  ought; 
IT  botherc 


:hing  ti^: 
inks  tot: 
ace  agai: 
water  frc 
ecanoeth 
their  har.i 

:  grasp,  a: 
Fergus  >r. 
iotas  of  t' 
their  anp 
%  and  tk 

Thev  w 
'ater  was; 
and  the: 


>> 


groar?| 

He  couj 
shorcwarcl 


le  do}:s ! 
sh,  iiCivi 
ired  on 


J»'\4'J£A 

P\'rgu8  MaeTftvish. 


PiiKU  35. 


?St  of  til 

companion 
•'Fetch  t 

I  Not  a  \m 
0[\\  water 
tore  their  w 
loudly  as  tl 

T' We're 
lid  been  1 
ne-vcd  it.  ai 
fCBi(  hed  tht 
gjfasped  the 
tilie  shore,  w 
aaxiety. 

d\iishing  i 
••other,  no 
warinl)-,  and 
"  Cude  d 
king  ye  s; 
ffThe  warm 
the\  were  ah 
Verily  a  nior 
hirdly  ])e  in 
gk'd,  they  m 
Man.  and  ^[l 

Mr.  Mac! 
Wtvr  he  lore  1 

"Weel,    ^^ 
bfUAU,  and 


W^Kfn 


FEIIGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


36 


m 


Gre>t  of  the  ridge.  Instantly  he  took  in  the  situation, 
and  sj)ringing  with  great  bounds  down  to  the  water's 
ed'^c,  pointed  out  the  upturned  canoe  to  his  sagacious 
companions,  crying: 

•'  Fetch  them,  gude  dogs.     Fetch  them — quick." 

Nol  a  moment  did  the  wise  brutes  hesitate.  Into  the 
chiil  water  they  phmged,  ajid  made  it  fairly  foam  as  they 
tore  their  way  through  it  with  mighty  strokes,  barking 
loudly  as  though  to  say : 

"We're  coming!  Hold  on!"  The  bo}s'  strength 
had  been  fiiiling,  but  the  appearance  of  the  dogs  re- 
newed it.  and  hold  on  they  did  until  their  noble  rescuers 

( hed   them      Then  letting  go  the  canoe  they  each 

aspt'd  the  collar  of  a  dog,  and  were  thus  drawn  safely  to 
the  shore,  where  Mr.  MacTavish  awaited  them  with  keen 
aUNicty. 

Jxiishing  into  the  water  he  dragged  them  out  one  after 
another,  not  forgetting  to  pat  their  dripping  rescuers 
Wiirinl}-,  and  to  say  : 

*'(iude  dogs,  gude  dogs.  The  Lord  be  praised  for 
aiaking  ye  sae  sensible." 

'  The  warm  sunshine  soon  restored  the  boys'  vigor,  and 
thev  were  able  to  tell  Mr.  MacTavish  how  it  all  happened. 
Verily  a  more  sheepish,  p(  litent  pair  of  youngsters  could 
l||rdly  be  imagined,  as  all  limp,  drip[)ing,  and  bedrag- 
gled, they  made  a  clean  breast  of  it,  Fergus  being  spokes- 
man,  and  Memotas  murmuring  assent  to  »vhat  he  said. 

Mr.  MacTavish  listenod  attentively  until  all  the  facts 

Wfre  1).  tore  him,  and  then  burst  out  into  a  hearty  laugh  : 

^"  Weel,   wccl,    weel,    ye    hae    punished    yer    ainsels 

JbiwIn,  and  its  little  I   have   to  say  to  you.      Hut,"  and 


i 


36 


FERGUS   MA.C  TAVISH. 


m 


her  J  his  face  grew  more  grave,    "  ye've  taught  me  o: 
thing  by  yer  foolishness — that  I've  done  vory  wrong 
not  seeing  that  ye  learned  to  swim  before  this.     I  m:M 
see  to  it  without  delay. ' ' 

And  so  as  a  consequence  of  the  upset,  Fergus  came 
for  a  course  of  lessons  in  swimming  that  contin 
throughout  the  brief  summer,  with  the  result  that  be 
autumn  made  the  water  unbearable,  he  had  learned  qu 
well  how  to  take  care  of  himself  in  case  of  any  si; 
mishap  befalling  him  again.  1 

The  dogs  received  unstinted  praise  for  their  inte>| 
gence,  even  Mr.  Barnston  so  far  forgetting  his  attiiudc 
indifference  toward  them  as  to  join  in  the  chorus  ;  sot-; 
Fergus  felt  as  if  it  was  worth  running  the  risk  he  Li 
done,  since  it  afforded  his  pets  such  a  fine  opportuniti 
winning  renown  for  themselves. 

Mrs.  MacTavish  was   disposed   to   take   Fergus'  s 
venture  a  good  deal  to  heart.     That  her  boy  should  1 
his  temper  was  not  of  much  moment.     He  could  recos 
that.     But  that  he  should   come  so  near  losing  liis  1:1 
which  could  never  be  recovered,  was  a  very  serious  mad 
It  seemed  to  her  as  though  he  ought  to  be  commanded! 
keep  closer  at  home,  and  not  to  venture  away  with 
first  obtaining  permission. 

But  the  chief  trader  held  a  different  opinion.  A!| 
requiring  self-mastery  and  self-reliance  in  no  ordin.: 
degree  lay  before  the  boy,  and  the  sooner  he  learned] 
think  for  himself  the  better. 

**Nay,  nay,  Ailie,"  said  he.  **  It  winna  do  to  lir| 
the  laddie  ay  running  to  you  like  an  unweaned  o\ 
He's  learned  a  lesson  he'll  not  soon  forget,  and 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


37 


jht  me  o:  i 
y  wrong 
s.     I  m. 


gus  came 

contiii 

that  be; 

;arred  q: 

>f  any  s: 


rn  others  in  due  time.     He  maur  na  be  tethered,  but 

it  suffered  to  rin  aboot  the  pasture  'till  he  grows  canny, 

te  hi^  father.  Ay,  Ailie  ?  "  And  the  gray  eyes  twinkled 

Ith  sly  good-humor ;  for  he  knew  his  wife  had  already 

ime  around  to  his  way  of  thinking. 


:heir  inte!l 
s  attitude! 
•rus ;  so  t':' 
risk  he  h 
>portunity 

Fergus'  i: 
should 
Duld  recov| 
ng  his  1:1 
ous  matt:| 
nmandcc 
vay  with  J 

on.     A! 

lo  ordinr 
learned  5 


Jo  to  lu 
aned  cai 
and  111! 


CHAPTER  III. 


EARLY   EXPERIENCES. 


IT  was  happy,  wholesome  boyhood  that  Fergus  had  -I 
Norway  House,  full  of  activity  and  interest,  and  adj 
mirably  adapted  to  developing  manliness  and  other  gou 
qualities  of  character.  With  his  parents  he  was  on  tr, 
happiest  terms.  His  father  was  not  one  to  make  miif.^ 
demonstration.  He  did  not  wear  his  heart  on  his  slee\t' 
but  he  had  a  big,  warm  heart  nevertheless,  that  niai.' 
itself  felt  through  his  grave  and  somewhat  stern  manner 

Fergus  had  the  deepest  respect  for  him.     He  ne\s 
thought  of  trying  to  argue  against  any  of  his  command 
or  attempting  to  tease  him  into  compliance  with  his  ow: 
wishes.     Mr.  MacTavish  would  not  brook  either  db 
bedience  or  argument.     It  was  not  his  way  to  act  hastih 
or  to  speak  upon  impulse.     His  words  and  deeds  we:, 
alike  well-considered,  and  his  chief  failing,  perhaps,  la| 
in  his  profound  confidence  in  his  own  wisdom.     Havinj 
by  dint  of  prudence,  sagacity,  self-denial  and  fidelitv] 
made  his  way  up  to  his  present  responsible  and  lucrativl 
position,  he  naturally  had  a  good  opinion  of  himseli 
which  the  almost  autocratic  character  of  his  post  hclpetj 
to  increase. 

In  dealing  with  Fergus  he  was  fo'  the  most  part  con] 

siderate  and  patient  enough;  but  'nere  were  times  wlua 

an  unusual  fretfulness  or  contrariness  on  the  boy's  iwnl 

would  stir  his  wrath,  and  then  he  did  not  hesitate  to  la;| 

38 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


39 


us  had : 
t,  and  a: 
»ther  goi; 
*^as  on  ti; 
lake  mm: 
his  sleevr 
hat  ma:: 
1  manm: 
He  nevc: 
3mmanti 
h  his  o\v. 
ther  di^ 
ct  hastil 

eds  -wt: 

laps,  la 
Havic, 
fidelit 

hicrdtiv: 
hiniselLJj 

St  hclpei 

)art  cor.j 
ncs  whtil 
Dy's  i)ur.j 
te  to  lai 


hand  heavily  upon  him.     Yet  so  strong  and  deep  was 

love  that  while  these  punishr.ients,  painful  to  both, 

idc  Fergus  stand  somewhat  in  awe  of  him,  they  did  not 

:\i:e   any  barrier   between    the   two,  nor   prevent  the 

[owth  of  a  good  understanding  that  made  the  son  take 

jcreasing  delight  in  his  father's  society   as    the   years 

tsscd. 

]]et\veen  Mrs.    MacTavish  and  Fergus  there  was  the 

it  ];erfect  understanding.  No  mother  and  son  could 
ivc  loved  one  another  more  implicitly  than  they  did. 
[ncc  only  one  child  had  come  to  her,  Mrs.  MacTavish 
id  resolved,  God  helping  her,  to  bring  that  one  up  so 
iat  he  would  be  an  honor  to  his  parents,  and  a  power 
Ir  good  in  his  own  world.  The  temptation  to  coddle 
(m,  to  keep  him  much  to  herself,  to  humor  every  whim, 
id  indulge  every  fancy  so  far  as  she  could,  was  very 
|*eat.  lUit  she  steadfastly  put  it  from  her.  Fergus 
[ould  have  to  make  his  own  way  through  life,  much  as 
\s  father  had  done  before  him ;  and  he  must  learn  to 
idure  hardness  in  his  youth,  to  rough  it  like  the  other 
)y.s,  to  grow  sturdy,  manly,  and  brave,  in  order  that  he 
^i-ht  go  forth  to  his  life's  work  duly  fitted  in  body  no 

5s  than  in  mind. 

The  one  thing  upon  which  she  laid  stress,  which  was 
^tr  in  her  thoughts,  was  that  her  boy  should  have  pure 
rincii)les,  a  quick  conscience,  and  a  keen  sense  of 
istic  e.     To  this  end  she  made  it  the  rule  of  her  life  to 

Je]»  her  word  to  him  in  the  minutest  particulars,  no 
bttcr  at  what  inconvenience  to  herself.  Her  word  was 
pvavs  as  good  as  her  deed,  and  if  by  any  chance  circum- 

uiccs  made  it  impossible  for  her  to  carry  out  her  promise, 


40 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


she  explained  the  matter  as  carefully  to  Fergus  as  she 
would  to  her  husband,  not  resting  satisfied  until  she  haii 
made  it  perfectly  clear  to  him,  and  had  been  relieved  oi 
her  obligation. 

For  his  education,  Fergus  had  of  course  to  look  to  h> 
parents  altogether,  and  happily  not  in  vain.  In  tK 
abunuant  leisure  of  the  long  winters  at  the  different  Fort ' 
where  he  had  served,  Mr.  MacTavish  made  the  most  of 
their  small,  but  well-chosen  libraries,  and  his  knowledge 
so  far  as  it  went,  was  thoroughly  sound,  albeit  somewhat  I 
behind  the  times. 

His  wife,  too,  was  well  able  to  second  him,  or  rather  tocr 
before  and  prepare  the  way  for  him  in  their  boy's  mind 
She  had  thought  of  being  a  school-teacher  before  she  hac 
decided  to  be  a  wife,  and  had  fitted  herself  for  the 
position  as  carefully  as  the  resources  of  the  settlemer.i 
enabled  her  to  do.  Consequently,  Fergus'  mind  was  ir.  J 
no  danger  of  neglect  with  her  to  look  after  it. 

Her  rule  was  to  devote  two  or  three  hours  to  him  even 
morning  the  year  round,  teaching  him  the  "  three  R's 
and  many  things  besides.  For  she  had  rare  gifts  as  2 
teacher ;  and  whenever  his  attention  flagged,  and  he  grtv^ 
restless,  she  would  introduce  a  diversion  in  the  way  of  a 
little  story  or  a  bit  of  verse,  thus  bringing  his  wandering 
mind  back  to  her  control. 

It  took  a  good  deal  of  this  harmless  guile  to  keep  her 
pupil  at  work.  His  impatient,  energetic  spirit  objected 
to  the  necessary  restraint,  particularly  on  the  bright, 
warm  summer  mornings,  and  then  oftentimes,  rather  than 
be  constantly  checking  him,  this  wise  mother  would 
sav: 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


41 


(< 


Come,  laddie,  and  let  us  have  our  lessons  out-of- 


!r  wouii 


loors ! 

Ferf^iis'  answer  was  always  a  whoop  of  delight ;  and 
len  off  they  would  go  to  the  nearest  clump  of  pines,  and 

its  balmy  shade  take  up  the  task  again. 

But  if  the  boy's  attention  was  hard  to  keep  in  the 
louse,  where  his  restless  eyes  were  more  likely  to  be 
razing  out  the  window  than  fastened  upon  the  book,  out 

the  pine  grove  it  was  very  much  worse.  The  birds 
)laying  chase  in  the  hot,  still  air,  the  insects  darting 
lither  and  thither  in  the  sunlight,  the  squirrels  chattering 
lucy  challenges  from  the  trees,  were  temptations  to  in- 
Ittention  not  to  be  resisted ;  and  just  when  they  were  in 
[he  middle  of  a  lesson  in  reading  or  arithmetic,  Fergus 
rould  shout  out  suddenly  : 

Look,  mither !  isn't  that  a  braw  butterfly?"  or 
f'  Quick,  mither,  see  that  bonnie  little  squirrel !"  And 
^he  lesson  would  have  to  be  begun  over  again. 

Yet  Mrs.  MacTavish  never  lost  patience.  There  was 
)lenty  of  time,  and  no  need  to  hurry.  Her  darling  boy 
^ould  soon  enough  grow  up  out  of  her  reach,  and  enter 
Into  the  more  serious  tasks  of  life,  where  she  could  not 
tollow  him.  Upon  only  one  thing  did  she  insist  with 
myielding  firmness,  namely,  that  at  least  two  full 
lours  should  be  spent  in  this  schooling  every  day 
jxccpt  Saturday ;  and  then  Fergus  had  a  whole  holi- 
lav. 

So  when  it  was  evident  that  the  book  of  Nature  was 

^altogether  too  attractive  to  permit  any  interest  in    the 

prmted  pages,  she  would  turn  to  it,  and   taking  up  a 

flower,  a  leaf,  a  bit  of  stone  or  wood,  talk  brightly  about 


42 


FERGUS  MAC  I'AVISH. 


the  wonders  of  the  divine  handiwork,  and  show  how 
perfect  was  God's  planning. 

To  this  Fergus  always  listened  with  appreciative 
interest.  He  had  the  soul  of  a  naturalist.  Nature  was 
full  of  voices  for  him,  asking  him  questions  that,  being 
unable  to  answer  himself,  he  promptly  referred  to  his 
parents ;  and  so  eager  was  he  for  the  right  kind  of  replies, 
that  his  father  was  fain  to  send  to  England  for  a  package 
of  books  upon  botany,  geology,  and  natural  history, 
which,  when  they  arrived,  coming  down  by  York  Factory, 
proved  a  mine  of  inexhaustible  delight  to  all  three  of  the 
family,  their  abundant  pictures  giving  Fergus  particular 
pleasure. 

With  these  books,  too,  came  illustrated  editions  of  the 
Bible,  and  of  the  Pilgrim's  Progress,  copies  of  Robinson 
Crusoe,  and  of  Milton's  Poems ;  and  to  the  vast  delight 
of  the  whole  staff  at  the  Fort,  a  number  of  Sir  Walter 
Scott's  works,  then  filling  the  world  with  their  fame— 
"  The  Lay  of  the  Last  Minstrel,"  ''  The  Lady  of  the 
Lake,"  ''Marmion,"  ^'Waverly,"  *' Guy  Mannering," 
and  others  were  in  the  set.  For  these  the  MacTavishes 
were  indebted  to  Sir  George  Simpson's  thoughtfulness. 
The  "Pilgrim's  Progress"  and  ''Robinson  Crusoe" 
were  for  the  boy,  in  whom  he  had  such  an  interest; 
the  other  volumes  were  for  his  parents.  And  if  His 
Excellency  could  only  have  been  present  when  the 
packages  were  opened,  and  have  witnessed  the  joy  their 
contents  gave,  he  would  have  asked  for  no  other  reward. 

Between  midday  and  the  hour  for  the  evening  meal, 
Fergus  was  master  of  his  time.  Unless  there  were  special 
reasons  for  limiting  him,  he  could  go  and  come  as  he 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


43 


ness. 
lisoe" 
rest; 
His 
the 
their 
ard. 
meal, 
Decial 
IS  he 


'pleased.  This  was  the  part  of  the  day  he  enjoyed  the 
:mo  t.  Memotas  and  others  of  the  boys  were  always  in 
^vaiting  for  him,  and  off  they  would  go  for  a  long  after- 
I  noon  of  play. 

There  was  never  any  lack  of  amusement.  In  the  warm 
idays  of  summer  they  had  their  canoes,  in  which  to  paddle 
!up  and  down  the  Jack  River,  or  out  upon  Playgreen 
Lake,  their  bows  and  arrows  with  which  to  play  wild 
luinters  in  the  forest  that  stretched  away  indefinitely  on 
every  hand,  or  their  games  of  lacrosse,  or  ball,  for  which 
the  grassy  plain  beside  the  Fort  was  excellently  adapted. 

Then,  in  the  winter  time,  warmly  wrapped  up  in  furs, 
they  had  fine  tobogganing  down  the  steep  sides  of  the 
ridge  that  rose  behind  the  Fort,  or  merry  times  running 
races  in  snow  shoes,  or  what  was  even  more  enjoyable, 
the  fun  of  teaching  the  dogs  to  draw  the  sledges,  and 
then  having  excited  trials  of  speed  ever  the  level  surface 
of  the  lake. 

Of  course,  they  had  no  skating.  Skates  had  no 
chance  in  a  region  where  the  snow  covered  the  ice  as  fast 
as  it  made.  But  if  Fergus  could  not  skate,  he  could 
snow-shoe  as  well  as  an  Indian,  and  could  go  as  mary 
miles  in  one  day  as  he  was  years  old  without  any  diffi- 
culty. 

Of  the  two  seasons,  Fergus  liked  summer  the  better  by 
far.  One  could  move  about  much  more  freely  then  than 
in  winter,  the  days  were  longer,  and  there  was  more  to 
be  done  in  them.  His  rule  was  to  go  to  bed  with  the 
sun,  and  to  get  up  with  it ;  and,  on  this  account,  he  had 
to  make  up  in  winter  for  the  comparatively  little  sleep  he 
took  in  the  summer. 


44 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Owing  to  its   commanding   position  upon  the  only 
practicable  route  between  Lake  Winnipeg  and  York  Fac- 
tory, Norway  House,  so  far  as  the  Red  River  and  Macken- 
zie River  departments  were  concerned,  was  in  a  manner 
the  gate  to  Hudson's  Bay.     All  the  furs  that  were  taken 
throughout  those  vast  districts  passed  by  on  f  :eir  way 
north  to  England,  while  all  the  goods  and  supplies  for  | 
the  diiferent  posts  in  boat  and  canoe  came  south  in  re- 
turn.    Consequently,  what  with  the  frequent  arrival  and 
departure  of  brigades  with  their  bands  of  noisy,  merry, 
reckless   voyageurs^   and   swaggering   clerks    i*^    charge, 
ready  for   song,  or  dance  or  story,  Norway  House,  in  | 
midsummer,  was  one  of  the  liveliest  places  on  the  conti-  :| 
nent. 

Fergus  greatly  enjoyed  all  this  excitement  and  bustle,  | 
As  the  son  of  the  chief  trader,  he,  of  course,  received  a  | 
good  deal  of  attention  from  the  visiting  officers ;  and  the 
stories  told  him  by  those  who  came  from  the  prairies  of  | 
the  Saskatchewan,  and  the  rugged  fastnesses  of  the  1 
Rocky  Mountains,  of  grand  buffalo  hunts,  of  thrillinj; 
encounters  with  huge  grizzlies,  of  narrow  escapes  from  | 
hostile  Indians,  filled  his  soul  with  longing  to  see  for 
himself  the  wonders  of  that  region,  where  the  prairie-- 
rolled  m  verdurous  billows  for  a  thousand  miles,  until 
they  broke  against  the  foot  hills  of  mighty  mountains 
towering  to  the  skies,  where  the  clumsy  buffalo  lumbered 
on  in  uncounted  myriads,  furnishing  food  and  clothing 
and  shelter  to  whole  tribes  of  Indians,  and  where  the 
deer,  the  moose,  the  beaver,  and  other  animals,  hardly 
known  at  the  Norway  House,  might  be  met  with  in  a 
day's  journey. 


FEKGUS   MAC   ^avISH. 


45 


"I'm  going  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  father,  as  soon 
las  I'm  big  enough,"  he  would  say  to  Mr.  MacTavish  ; 
and  his  father,  appreciating  the  spirit  that  prompted  the 
[statement,  would  reply  encouragingly  : 

''Nae  doot  ye  will,  laddie,  all  in  good  time ;  and  travel 
Itwa  miles  to  yer  father's  ain,  maybe,  e'er  you're  well  out 
iof  your  teens." 

The  brigades  began  to  arrive  soon  after  Jack  Frost  had 
'released  his  grip  of  the  lake  and  river,  and  permitted 
them  to  move  freely  about  within  their  banks  again. 
First  would  come  the  Portage  Brigade  of  six  or  eight 
York  boats,  and  its  band  of  wild-looking  Canadian  and 
half-breed  voyageurs,  dressed  out  in  new  light-blue  ca- 
potes, and  corduroy  trousers  tied  at  the  knee  with  bead- 
work  garters.  The  scarlet  sashes  which  encircled  theii 
waists,  the  gaudy  feathers  and  tinsel  adorning  their  hats, 
and  the  moose-skin  moccasins,  bright  with  bead  work, 
tliat  cased  their  feet,  gave  them  a  very  picturesque 
appearance,  which  admirably  accoroed  with  their  sinewy 
forms,  and  handsome  sun-burned  countenances. 

They  i)itched  their  camp  on  the  edge  of  their  green, 
and  as  they  lounged  about  their  fires  in  the  evening, 
j)utting  clouds  of  fragrant  smoke  from  the  j)ipes  that  were 
hardly  ever  out  of  their  mouths,  Fergus  was  always  a 
weleome  visitor  to  their  circle,  and  an  eager  listener  to 
their  talk. 

After  them  would  come  the  I^le  a  la  Crosse  Brigade, 
a!ul  then  the  Red  River  Brigades  in  ([uick  succession, 
filling  Norway  Mouse  with  noise  and  merriment,  and 
then  jiassing  on  to  the  sea  for  their  rcspec  tive  loads,  re- 
turning again,  a  month  or  so  later,  to  rci^eat  the  operation. 


46 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


The  great  event  of  each  season  was  the  arrival  of  the 
Saskatchewan  Brigade,  the  largest  and  noisiest  of  all  tha: 
halted  at  the  fort.  It  usually  comprised  fifteen  or  twent\ 
boats,  filled  with  the  wildest  men  in  the  service.  Com- 
ing from  the  boundless  prairies  and  the  lofty  "  Rockies,' 
their  manners  were  as  free  as  the  one,  and  their  talk  as 
tall  as  the  other.  Their  delight  was  to  get  hold  of  th. 
raw  recruits,  the  green  young  clerks  who  had  arrived  onl\ 
that  summer,  and  make  their  eyes  bulge  out  with  wonder 
at  their  stories,  true  and  untrue,  as  frequently  as  not  the 
latter,  in  which  buffaloes,  bears,  and  red  men  figured 
prominently. 

Their  appearance  was  as  romantic  as  their  experiences.! 
They  had  adopted  the  Indian  style  of  dress  so  far  as  it 
suited  them,  and  when  decked  out  "  in  war  paint,"  tha; 
is,  in  what  city  folks  would  call  their  ''  Sunday  clothes,' 
a  stranger  would  need  to  look  at  them  twice  in  order  ti 
be  sure  that  they  were  not  real  red  men.  | 

When  the  Saskatchewan  Brigade  arrived  Fergus  forgo: 
all  his  otlier  friends,  and  until  they  struck  camp,  anc 
continued  their  journey  north  to  the  salt  water,  or  soutr 
to  the  prairies,  as  the  case  might  be,  he  spent  all  his  lime^ 
in  their  company.  ^ 

One  of  the  things  they  tried  to  teach  him  was  the  \h 
of  the  lasso,  in  which  many  of  them  were  wonderlulh 
expert.  Fergus  was  determined  to  acquire  this  usetV 
accomplishment ;  and  the  head  of  the  Brigade  ha\  in: 
presented  him  with  a  capital  lasso,  lie  practiced  diligtntl) 
uj)on  the  stumps  until,  by  the  time  the  boats  returno' 
he  could  occasionally  get  the  ro])e  over  one  at  shtrt 
range.     Then,  of  "oiirse,  he  was  burning  with  eagcrnw 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


47 


lo  sliow  how  well  he  had  gotten  on  ;  and  his  friends  were 
rood  enough  to  play  the  part  of  wild  buffaloes,  in  order 
^hat  he  might  try  and  lasso  them. 

They  were  amusing  themselves  in  this  way  one  even- 
ing wlien  a  sturdy  young  calf  strayed  upon  the  green. 
[t  belonged  to  the  chief  trader's  cow,  a  recent  arrival, 
)r(.)ught  up  with  no  small  difficulty  from  Red  River. 

"  Look  there,  Fergus  !  "  cried  one  of  the  men,  point- 
ing to  the  calf  drawing  near,  innocent  of  all  mischief. 
I"  There's  something  for  you  to  try  your  lasso  on.  Let  us 
[sec  wiiat  you  can  do  with  that  calf." 

**Aye,  that  I  will,"  responded  the  boy,  promptly;  and 
[off  he  started,  swinging  the  rope  about  his  head  in  the 
[most  api)roved  manner. 

The  calf  was  not  at  all  shy,  and  permitted  him  to  come 

jquite  close  before  it  moved  away.    As  it  did  Fergus  made 

a  throw,  but  the  rope  slipped  harmlessly  off  the  animal's 

ba(  k,  causing  it  to  give  a  start  of  surprise,  and  kick  up 

iits  heels  amid  the  laughter  of  the  onlookers. 

(iathering  up  the  lasso,  Fergus  crept  nearer,  and  made 

[another  lling.     This  time  he  had  better  fortune.     15y  a 

|h;ii)|)y  chance  the  calf  threw  up  its  head  jdst  as  the  noose 

I  circled  about  it,  and  the  supple  rope  settled  snugly  about 

its  neck. 

The  moment  the  creature  felt  itself  caught  it  started  off 

I  on  tlie  run,  and  Fergus,  too  elated  at  the  success  of  his 

throw  to  think  what  he  was  about,  took  a  turn  of  the 

lasso  about  his  waist  in  order  to  afford  more  resistance  to 

the  struggles  of  his  startled  captive. 

The  calf  plunged   and   kicked  furiously,  and  this  at- 
traf  te<l  the  attention  of  the  two  Newfoundland  dogs,  who, 


48 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


either  because  they  thought  their  master  was  in  danger, 
or  that  he  was  having  sor.ie  fun  in  which  they  would  like 
to  share,  went  bounding  and  barking  after  the  calf, 
rendering  the  poor  thing  perfectly  frantic. 

The  scene  that  followed  was  amusing  beyond  descrip 
tion.  The  calf,  crazed  with  fright,  rushed  this  way  anc 
that  over  the  green,  towing  Fergus  along  at  the  top  of  hii 
speed,  while  the  big  black  dogs,  one  at  either  side,  made 
fierce  snaps  at  the  creature's  ears,  all  the  while  barkin^ 
their  very  loudest. 

So  long  as  Fergus  could  keep  his  feet  he  had  nothing  | 
to  fear  save  loss  of  breath.  But  if  he  were  to  trip  anc 
fall  he  would  certainly  be  dragged  some  distance,  and 
possibly  hurt.  He  thought  of  this  himself,  and  tried  to  j 
loosen  the  rope  from  his  waist;  but  it  was  too  tightly 
strained,  and  he  gave  up  the  attempt.  The  best  he  could 
do  was  to  hold  the  lasso  tightly  with  both  hands,  anc 
keeping  an  eye  t'^  his  feet,  follow  in  the  wake  of  the 
calf  wherever  the  terrified  animal  chose  to  drag  him. 

Meantime  the  men  of  the  Brigade  were  convulsed  with 
laughter,  and  roaring  out  by  way  of  encouragement  : 

"Hold  on,  Fergus,  lad  !    He'll  soon  tire.    Mind  your  4 
feet!     Keep  going.     Don't  let  him   trip   you!"   anc 
so  on. 

Fergus  was  now  thoroughly  frightened.  He  felt  a 
helj)less  as  a  fly  on  a  wheel,  and  the  calf,  instead  of  get- 
ting tired,  as  /te  certainly  was,  seemed  to  be  jumping! 
more  wildly  than  ever.  He  tried  to  call  for  hilp,  bu: 
his  breathless  condition  prevented  his  making  hiniselt 
understood.  He  then  endeavored  to  order  off  the  dogs, 
but  they  refused  to  take  the  slightest  notice  of  him. 


His  situa 
b(l  his  legs 
tee])  his  fee 
l:rass  he  fell 

LSSO. 

Then  the 
louglit  it 
lozen  of  th 
loutincr : 

"  Hold   0 
trip." 

It  was  eas 

)iind  it  mi^ 

^rength  he  1 

le  men,  cat 

ick,  tumbli: 

|icked  u\t  Fe 

"Eh,  my  1 
|e  (ould  onl 
ivc  brought 
Jho  had  pi( 
ronzed  feati 
lint,  1k'  add< 
[irgus,  boy? 

I'ergus  at  1 
tc(»vcred  it  s 

a  smile  of 

"No,  not  1 

He  was  not 
id  left  a  red 
h'h'ik,  and 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVJSH. 


40 


I ) 


felt  a> 
of  get- 
^im]»in: 
■Ip,  In;: 
lini^el: 


His  situation  became  serious.  His  breath  was  gone, 
Ind  his  legs  were  tottering  under  him.  At  length  lie  could 
Uej)  his  feet  no  longer,  and  tripping  over  a  thick  tuft  of 
^rass  he  fell  face  forward,  still  holding  desperately  to  the 
so. 

Then  the  men,  who  had  enjoyed  it  all  so  heartily, 
lought  it  time  to  interfere,  and  with  a  whoop  half  a 
(ozcn  of  them  spra-ig  up,  and  scattered  over  the  plain, 
loiiting  : 

Hold   on,  Fergus !    We're   after  you.     Keep  your 

jrip." 
It  was  easy  enough  to  cry  '*  Hold  on  !  "  but  Fergus 
)und  it  mighty  hard  work  to  do  so;  and  the  little 
trength  he  had  was  just  about  leaving  him  when  one  of 
le  men,  catching  up  to  the  calf,  threw  himself  upon  its 
ick,  tumbling  it  helplessly  to  the  ground,  while  another 
[ickcd  up  Fergus,  and  looked  the  rope  from  his  waist. 

''Eh,  my  lad,  but  that  was  rare  sport,  wasn't  it?     If 
[eiould  only  have  kept  your  ftet  a  little  longer  }ou'd 
ivc  brought  the  calfie  down  for  sure,"  said  the  trapper 
10  had  picked    him  up,  a  broad   smile  suffusing   his 
(tnzcd  features.     Then,  noticing  that  Fergus  seemed 
lint,  he  added  with  quick  concern  :    *'  But  are  you  hurt, 
firmis,  boy?  What's  the  matter  with  you?" 
Icrgus  at  first  had  no  breath  to  answer.      But  he  soon 
^Covered  it  sufficiently  to  gasp  out,  with  a  heroic  attem^'t 
a  smile  of  indifference  : 
"  No,  not  much.     I'll  soon  be  all  right." 
He  was  not  much  damaged  as  it  turned  out.    The  lasso 
id  left  a  red  circle  around  his  waist  that  was  painful  for 
jwhile,  and  his  shins  and  elbows  had  suffered  by  being 

D 


50 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


> } 


bumped  over  the  ground ;  but  otherwise  he  had  escapec| 
injury. 

It  was  a  good  while  before  he  heard  the  last  of  tb:| 
lassoing  experiment.     His  father  thought  it  a  huge  joke, 
and  often,  when   they  came  across  the  calf,  would  givtj 
Fergus  a  nudge,  inquiring  slyly  : 

"  Have  you  got  your  lasso,  laddie  ? 

But  neither  the  rough  treatment  he  had  received  fro: 
the  calf,  nor  the  teasing  of  his  friends,  in  anywise  weaii| 
ened  the  boy's  determination  to  become  expert  withtlil 
rope.     He  only  practiced  the  more  diligently,  and  baci 
fair  to  become  very  skillful  in  due  time. 

Another  accomplishment  to  which  Fergus  gave  muij 
attention  was  the  handling  of  a  rifle.  His  father  k 
procured  for  him  a  beautiful  little  weapon  that  he  couiJ 
easily  carry,  and  which  had  little  or  no  recoil.  He  so: 
learned  to  load  it  properly  himself,  but  his  father  w: 
wisely  would  not  allow  him  to  do  any  shooting  unless, 
was  in  company  with  some  of  the  men.  ^< 

Very  often  in  the  evenings  there  would  be  shootin: 
matches  on  the  green.     A  target  had  been  put  up  on  tr. 
side  of  the  ridge,  and  the  men  of  the  Fort  would  ha 
competition  among  themselves   or  with  some  of  th;i 
visitors,  in  which  Fergus  took  a  keen  interest.    His  fati:] 
was  an  admirable  shot.     At  two  hundred  yards  he  nev 
missed  the  bull's-eye,  and  he  could  be  safely  trusted:! 
hit  the  target  somewhere  at  almost  any  distance  his  r:: 
would  carry.     He  was  accordingly  anxious  that  his- 
should  be  an  equally  good  marksman  when  he  grew  j 
to  manhood,  and  he  gave  him  many  a  lesson  in  sii^htm; 
in  calculating  the  range,  and  in  allowing  for  the  wiiui 


Thus  was  '. 

il  activity, 

fear    out    tl' 

.ockies  and 

liscontent  ht 

vs  about  1 
horn  he  mi< 
[an<"age.       n 

ount  ot  en 

If  his  father' 

cordingly  i 

ere  was  con 

iStered      H: 

oil   too.     h 

(ccasions,  an 

liscij)line.    F 

is  wholeson 

11  upon  the 

time  to  give 

an  to  conir 

ell  will  api)e 


w 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


51 


escapee^ 

of  thi: 
ge  jokt 


with  i:,; 
nd  bac: 

,ve  mui: 
thcr  m 
he  coiiiil 
He  so- 
ber vc: 
jnlessr,: 

hootin." 
p  on ;:. 
lid  ha 

of  th-i 

tis  hit:. 
he  iKv  I 
rusted '>;: 
his  r:: 
;  his- 
grew: 
.ii^htiii;} 
wind. 


Thus  was  lergiis'  boyhood  full  of  interesting,  health- 
il  aetivity,  and  it  might  safely  be  said  that  year  in  and 
[ear    out    there   was   not    a   happier  boy  between   the 
Lockies  and  the  Atlantic.     From  one  common  cause  of 
libcontent  he  had  a  fortunate  immunity.    There  were  no 
[ovs  about  him  whose  lot  was  superior  to  his,  and  with 
rhom  he  might  institute  comparisons  to  his  own  disad- 
vantage,      n  the  contrary,  he  was  the  object  of  a  certain 
iiount  ot  envy  among  his  companions  because  by  virtue 
If  his  father's  position   he  stood  first,  and  in  his  case 
[ccordingly  if  there  was  little  temptation  to  discontent, 
lere  was  considerable  danger  of  an  arrogant  spirit  beii.g 
)stered      His  nature  had  certain  leanings  in  this  direc- 
lon   too.     He  was   inclined  to  be  very  imperious   on 
iccasions,  and  needed  some  stout  opposition  by  way  of 
[iscipHne.    His  being  an  only  child  prevented  his  getting 
lis  wholesome  kind  of  experience  at  home ;  so  that  it 
ill  upon  the  outside  world  to  teach  him  that  there  was 
time  to  give  no  less  than  to  take,  a  time  to  serve  no  less 
lan  to  command.     And  that  he  did  learn  this  lesson 
jrell  will  appear  as  the  history  of  his  life  unfolds  itself. 


I, 


CHAPTER  IV. 


A  TRI?  TO   YORK   FACTORY. 


AS  Fergus  grew  older,  the  range  of  his  ideas  an;| 
ambitions  widened.  He  longed  to  jee  more  ofth:; 
world  than  was  visible  from  the  hill  behind  Nonvais 
House,  and  began  to  press  his  father  to  let  him  go  \vit:| 
him  on  some  of  his.  frequent  journeys  north  to  Hudso:; 
Bay,  or  south  to  the  Red  River. 

But  Mr.  MacTavish  was  slow  in  granting  his  wisLj 
When  he  journeyed,  his  manner  was  to  make  the  shorttsl 
possible  time  between  his  starting  point  and  his  desti 
nation.  His  business  was  always  uppermost  in  his  mine! 
and  he  did  not  welcome  very  cordially  the  notion  of  havid 
a  small  boy  on  his  hands,  who  would  have  to  be  cocj 
stantly  considered,  and  who  would  necessarily  be  monj 
or  less  of  a  drag. 

"Time  enough,  laddie,"  he  would  reply  to  Ferguil 
coaxing,  "  yer  mither  canna  spare  you  yet.  Ye  maJ 
bide  at  hame  to  keep  her  company  for  the  present.  Yelj 
have  plenty  of  going  to  and  fro  all  in  good  time." 

But  the  summer  that  Fergus  was  twelve  he  felt  partic] 
ularly  restive,  and  seemed  to  fret  so  much  over  the  \om 
deferred  fulfillment  of  his  desires,  that  at  last  the  chief 
trader  thought  it  time  to  accede  to  them,  especially  J 
Mi."5.  MacTavish  warmly  supported  her  son.  Accoidinj; 
he  announced  that  he  would  take  Fergus  with  him  whcj 
he  went  up  to  York  Factory  for  his  annual  supply 
52 


toof^s ;  and 
atiently  unti 

It  was  the  ; 
ot  off,  and 
ntense  activi 
'urs  gathered 

ith  the  Ind: 
lerfect  order 
very  leak  cal 
lenty  of  pn 
orthward. 

The  boats  i 

d  Hudson  1 

)f  the  West  , 

eavy,    awkw 

pable  of  car 
rew  of  ten 
)assengers. 

P'ergus  woi 
Danoes,  as  hi 
Special  trip  in 
hi  he  had  n 
jladness  at  bei 
ill  other  feelir 

Days  before 
lade ;  a  stout 
md  spare  moc 
5t  irc  of  ammt 
ifthat  he  could  i. 
"I  His  mother 
;.Jthing. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


53 


roof^s ;  and   thenceforth   Fergus   counted  the  days  im- 
)a:iently  until  the  time  for  setting  forth  should  come. 

It  was  the  month  of  August  before  the  brigade  of  boats 
rot  off,  and  the  week  preceding  the  start  was  one  of 
Intense  activity  at  the  Fort.  The  packages  of  precious 
irs  gathered  during  the  winter  and  spring,  through  trade 
,'ith  the  Indians,  had  all  to  be  examined  and  put  in 
)er!"ect  order ;  ihe  boats  must  be  minutely  inspected, 
fevery  leak  calked,  and  every  weak  spot  strengthened,  and 
)lcnty  of  provisions  made  ready  for  the  long  trip 
lorthward. 

The  boats  used  in  traveling  between  Norway  House 

id  Hudson  Bay  were  as  unlike  the  light,  graceful  canoe 
)f  the  West  as  they  could  possibly  be ;  for  they  were 
leavy,    awkward,    blunt-bowed,    square-sterned    craft, 

ipable  of  carrying  three  tons  of  cargo  apiece,  besides  a 
:rew  of  ten  or   twelve   voyageurs^   and   three   or   four 


jassengers. 


P'ergus  would  have  very  much  preferred  going  in 
canoes,  as  his  father  sometimes  did  when  making  a 
Bpecial  trip  in  which  speed  was  of  the  first  importance. 
Jut  he  had  not  the  arranging  of  the  matter,  and  his 
jladness  at  being  allowed  to  join  the  party,  swallowed  up 
ill  other  feelings. 

Days  before  they  started  he  had  all  his  preparations 

lade ;  a  stout  skin  bag  packed  with  changes  of  clothing 

md  spare  moccasins,  his  rifle  cleaned  and  cased,  a  goodly 

ktore  of  ammunition  put  up  ;  and  everything  else  done 

pat  he  could  anticipate  as  being  necessary. 

His  mother  entered  heartily  into  the  spirit  of  the 
khing. 


54 


FERGUS   MAG  T.^VISH. 


'*  Ye're  g'lng  to  see  what  I've  never  seen  yet,  Fergus,  I 
dearie,  and  that's  the  great  salt  sea;   and  maybe  soniej 
day  ye'U  be  sailing  across  it  to  the  country  whence  yoi:r 
grandfather   and   grandmither   came.       Ah  me!"  she! 
ada-.i,  with  a  half-suppressed  sigh,    "I'd  like  well  to  gac 
there  myself.     Mony  ^  bonnie  tale  they've  told  me  abootj 
it.     But  I  maun  na  repine.     The  lines  truly  have  falki 
unto  me  in  pleasant  places,  and," — taking  Fergus'  face  be- 
tween her  hands,  and  imprinting  a  ftmd  kiss  upon  his 
forehead, — *'  you'll  have  to  see  the  world  for  yer  mither,  j 
Fergus.  ' 

Fergus  straightened  himself  up  and  assumed  a  ven 
important,  enterprising  air,  saving  : 

**  Ay,  that  I  will,  mither,  if  I  can.      Never  fear." 

The  brigade  got  away  amia  much  bustle  and  apparent  | 
confusion  late  in  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday.     It  con- 
sisted of  six  boats,  each  having  a  crew  of  ten  voyagam. 
The  only  passengers  were  the  chief  trader,  Fergus,  and  I 
two  young  clerks,  named  Grant  and  Patterson,  on  their | 
way  to  York  Factory,  to  spend  the  winter  at  that  post. 

The  day  was  as  fine  as  heart  could  wish,  and  amid  I 
cheers  from  those  on  .^hore,  and  songs  from  the  crews  ob| 
board,  the  boats  lined  out   in   procession   behind  Mr, 
MacTavish's,  and  cut   their  way    through  the  rippling | 
water. 

Fergus  could  hardly  contain  himself  for  joy.  He  I 
bounced  about  in  the  boat  as  lively  as  a  sparrow,  now 
standinn^  in  the  bow,  and  looking  out  very  sharply  for 
rocks  and  shallows,  and  other  perils  of  navigation,  and 
then  throwing  himself  down  in  the  stern  beside  his 
father,  and  plying  him  with  eager  questions  as  to  how  far 


.  -¥-, 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVJSH. 


55 


]u'V  would  go  before  stopping  for  the  night ;  how  !ong 

be  uK'n  could  row   ..ithout  getting  tired ;    how   many 

avs  they  would  be  in  getting  to  York  P'actory,  and  so 

n,  to  all  of  which  his  fiither  replied  promptly  and  fully. 

*' A^k  as  mony  questions  as  ye  like,  Fergus,"  said  he, 

niiiing  upon  him  affectionately,   ''and  I'll  warrant  to 

nswer  ye  as  mony  as  I  can.     Just  keep  both  yer  een  wide 

on,  and  everything  ye  dinna  understand,  be  quick  to 

ask  aboot  it.     There's  no  better  way  to  learn  than  that." 

The  boats  being  heavily  laden,  very  rapid   progress 

co;il(i  not  be   made,  and    only  twelve   miles  were  put 

fbchind  when  the  fast-sinking  sun  gave  notice  that  it  was 

•.time  to  camp.     The  voyageurs  would  simply  roll  up  in 

jtheir  blankets,  and  sleep  in  the  open  air ;  but  for  the  chief 

trader  there  was  a  roomy  tent,  which  he  and  Fergus  and 

|the  two  clerks  would  occupy. 

The  evening  meal  was  quickly  prepared  and  despatched, 
and  then  the  crews  gathered  about  the  fires  of  crackling 
pine,  and  sang  their  favorite  songs  with  a  heartiness 
that  sent  the  echoes  reverberating  for  and  wide.  "^'  la 
chiire  fontaine,^^  ^^  En  roidant  ma  bouley  Others  fol- 
lowed in  tuneful  succession,  the  simple  music  seeming  in 
jjorfert  accord  with  the  wild  beauty  of  the  scene. 

All  this  was  very  delightful  to  Fergus.  For  the  first 
ti'i.e  in  his  life  he  was  cut  loose  from  the  common-place 
surroundings  of  home,  and  taking  part  in  the  life  of  the 
hunter  and  traveler.  The  lot  of  the  voyagcur  appeared 
full  of  attractions  to  him.  Joining  with  them  as  they 
sanu,  he  watched  the  curling  smoke  from  their  pipes, 
listened  to  their  soft  voluble  speech,  and  admiring  their 
sujtrenie  content  as  they  stretched  at  their  ease  upon  the 


66 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


11 


turf,  he  found  himself  wishing  that  b.e  was  one  of  them, 
They  seemed  to  have  no  cares  so  long  as  there  was  plent, 
of  pemmican  to  eat,  and  no  lack  of  tobacco  for  their 
pipes. 

A  very  interesting  class  of  men  were  these  voyageun  '^ 
With  French  and  Indian  blood  mingling  in  their  veins, 
their  natures  showed  the  characteristics  of  their  ancestry, 
They  were  as  a  rule  tall,  slight,  shapely  men,  with  regular, 
clear-cut  features,  eyes  and  hair  black  as  a  raven's,  an] 
skin  as  tawny  as  an  Indian's.  Abounding  in  activity  and 
vigor,  brave  and  enduring  to  a  fault,  they  had  the  spon- 
taneous gayety  of  happy  children  ;  and  were  always  ready 
for  a  song,  no  matter  how  tired  they  might  be.  Like 
children,  too,  they  needed  lots  of  looking  after.  Their  i 
regard  for  the  truth  was  very  slight,  and  their  hone^ty 
was  not  above  suspicion.  They  could  be  most  provok- 
ingly  lazy,  moreover,  when  the  humor  seized  tliem. 

But  in  Mr.  MacTavish's  hands  they  were  models  oi 
good  behavior.  He  had  the  reputation  of  having  under 
him  the  best  disciplined  staff  in  his  district;  and  hi; 
voyageuf's  were  no  exception.  They  held  him  in  the 
highest  respect.  They  both  feared  and  loved  him.  They 
feared  him  because  he  did  not  hesitate  to  enforce  hi 
commands  in  a  way  that  made  disobedience  a  dangerovi^ 
experiment,  and  they  loved  him  because  he  never  failec 
to  show  due  consideration  for  their  feelings.  He  treated 
them  as  men,  not  as  mere  hirelings  to  be  abused  at  pleas- 
ure. The  strictest  justice  animated  all  his  dealings  with 
them.  In  their  expressive  phrase,  he  was  *'  a  man  of  one 
word."  Whatever  he  promised  he  held  to,  and  so  his 
influence   among   them   was  supreme.      There   was  no 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


57 


service  so  severe  that  any  one  of  them  would  not  gladly 
undertake  for  his  sake. 

On  a  couch  of  fragrant  cedar  boughs  with  his  bag  for 
a  pillow,  and  a  blanket  rolled  tightly  around  him,  Fergus 
slept  the  sleep  of  good  health  and  a  clear  conscience. 
He  was  just  in  the  midst  of  a  pleasant  dream,  having 
as  it  seemed  to  him  been  not  more  than  an  hour  in  bed, 
when  his  slumbers  were  broken  by  his  father  calling  loudly: 
'' Leve,  Ltve,  L^ve !  '  That  is,  "Get  up;"  and  by  the 
time  he  had  shaken  the  sleep  from  his  eyes,  and  gotten  out 
of  his  blanket  he  found  the  whole  camp  already  astir 
Oh,  dear  !  but  how  sleepy  he  did  feel !    What  was  the  use 
of  getting  up  so  early  ?     It  would  not  be  dawn  for  hours 
yet,  surely.     If  voyageurs  had  to  turn  out  as  early  as  this 
every  morning  it  was  not  so  pleasant  being  a  voyageur, 
after  all.     Thinking  he  would  have  time  for  another  nap 
before  breakfast,  he  threw  himself  down  again,  and  was 
just  dozing  off  sweetly,  when  his  father  appeared  at  the 
tent-door,  calling  to  him  : 

"Fergus,  laddie,  are  you  awake  yet?  Come  out  of 
vour  nest." 

In  a  very  sleepy  tone  of  protest,  Fergus  replied  :  " 

"I'll  come  out,  father,  when  the  breakfast  is  ready," 
and  turned  over  to  resume  his  nap. 

But  instead  of  leaving  him  Mr.  MacTavish  gave  a 
hearty  laugh,  and  with  a  quick  jerk  pulled  the  blanket  off. 

"Breakfast!  Fergus,"  he  cried.  **  Not  a  sup  of 
breakfast  will  there  be  until  we've  made  a  dozen  miles. 
Come,  laddie,  stir  yourself,  or  the  tent  will  be  tumbling 
about  your  ears."  * 

"  Feeling  very  hungry,  sleepy  and  cross,  Fergus  crawled 


rj8 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


out  into  the  cold,  morning  air,  and  gloomily  watched  the 
men  making  ready  to  start.  How  differently  everything 
looked  in  the  gray,  grim  dawn  from  what  it  had  done 
the  evening  before  when  the  fires  wei^  burning  briskly, 
and  the  men  singing  merrily.  There  were  neither  fins 
nor  song  now.  All  the  romance  of  camping  out  had 
vanished. 

Quite  understanding  how  he  felt,  his  father  said  kindly 
to  him  : 

*' Just  run  doon  to  the  water,  and  dip  yer  hands  and 
face  in  it.     You'll  feel  more  sonsey  then." 

Although  it  sounded  more  like  a  suggestion  than  a 
command,  Fergus  knew  well  enough  it  was  the  latter,  and 
although  not  much  in  the  humor  for  cold  water,  did  as 
he  was  bidden,  with  the  result  that  he  felt  a  good  deal 
brightened  up  by  his  ablutions. 

No  time  was  wasted  in  getting  off;  and,  pulling  away 
as  briskly  as  if  they  had  had  a  hearty  breakfast,  the  t'oya- 
geurs  sent  the  big  boats  through  the  water  at  such  a  good 
j)a(e  that  by  eight  o'clock  the  chief  trader's  twelve  miles 
had  been  made,  and  a  halt  was  ordered  for  rest  and 
refreshment. 

What  an  appetite  everybody  had  for  the  morning  meal ! 
The  voyaga/rs  were  content  with  i^emmican  and  flour  and 
tea ;  but  for  the  jiassengers  there  were  in  addition  cured 
buffalo  tongue,  biscuits,  sugar,  butter,  and  other  table 
comforts,  which  they  greatly  relished. 

Louis  I^onch.ance,  who  was  responsible  for  the  meals, 
had  far  more  skill  in  cooking  than  was  ordinary  anion}.' 
his  class,  and  took  no  small  ])ride  in  disjjlaying  it  ;  so 
that  the  tiavekrswere  sure  to  liave  a  good  aj)}  elite  h»i 


their  break 
upon  havin 

"Well, 
quired  Mr. 
substantial 

Fergus  g 
easily  arou 
amiable  of 
better. 

"Just  h 
heart  make; 

"  Hut  I'l 
father,"  sai 

"  How  al 
his  fither,  v 

"Oh,  tha 
used  to  the 
( redit  be  it 
bounded  ou 
broke  in  up 

During  tl 
fir-t  rapid, 
OAing  to  t 
more  di  ffic 
nubt  thoroi 
actly  the  ri| 
freight  niav 
stern -sheets 
opportunity 

As  they  c 
its  banks  gi 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


59 


had 


(.•;ils, 

;  so 


their  breakfast.  They  could  count  with  equal  certainty 
upon  having  a  good  breakfast  for  their  appetite. 

''Well,  Fergus,  do  you  feel  any  better  now?"  in- 
quired Mr.  MacTavish,  when  the  boy's  attack  upon  the 
substantial  fare  at  last  showed  signs  of  slackening. 

Fergus  gave  his  belt  a  hitch  that  it  might  fit  more 
easily  around  his  expanded  waist,  and  with  the  most 
amiable  of  smiles  replied  that  he  did  feel  very  much 
better. 

**Just  keep  on  that  road  then,  laddie.  A  merrie 
heart  makes  a  short  journey,  ye  ken." 

"  But  I'm  sure  I  don't  want  this  journey  to  be  short, 
father,"  said  Fergus.     '*  I'm  enjoying  it  too  much." 

**Ho\v  aboot  the  getting  up  i'  the  mornings?  "  asked 
his  father,  with  a  smile. 

"Oh,  that's  all  right,  father;  I'll  not  take  long  to  get 
used  to  that,"  Fergus  responded  brightly;  and  to  his 
( redit  be  it  recorded  that  during  the  rest  of  the  trip  he 
bounded  out  cheerfully  as  soon  as  the  cry  of  ''  leve^  l^ve^^ 
broke  in  uj)on  his  slumbers. 

During  the  course  of  the  morning  the  boats  ran  their 
fir^t  rapid,  and  it  was  quite  an  exciting  experience. 
OA'ing  to  their  bulk  and  weight  they  are  considerably 
more  difficult  to  manage  than  canoes.  Every  man 
mu^t  thoroughly  understand  his  work,  and  do  it  at  ex- 
a(  tly  the  right  moment,  or  a  smashed  boat  and  ruined 
freli;ht  may  be  the  consecpience.  From  his  post  in  the 
stern -sheets  of  the  leading  boat,  Fergus  had  a  splendid 
opportunity  of  taking  it  all  in. 

As  they  drew  near  the  rapids  the  river  narrowed,  and 
its  banks  grew  precipitous  and  ro(  ky.     The  current  in- 


v:% 


60 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


creased  in  velocity,  and  soon  the  roar  and  splash  of  the 
troubled  torrent  became  audible.  Quivering  with  half- 
timorous,  half-delighted  expectation,  Fergus  kneeled 
upon  the  thwart,  and  grasping  the  gunwale  tightly,  tried 
to  watch  every  movement  of  boat  and  whirling  water  at 
once. 

The  speed  of  the  current  was  so  great  that  the  oars 
were  no  longer  needed  to  send  the  boat  onward,  and  the 
rowers  unshipped  them,  but  still  held  them  in  their 
hands  to  use  as  poles  to  push  off  from  the  rocks,  should 
they  happen  to  strike  or  ground.  Presently  they  were 
in  the  midst  of  the  wild  turmoil  of  water,  and  then  the 
heavy,  clumsy  boat  seemed  to  become  as  light  as  a  feather. 
This  way  and  that  it  darted  at  the  bidding  of  the  resist- 
less current,  now  plunging  its  bow  so  deep  into  the 
foaming  whirls  that  the  spray  splashed  clear  to  the  stern, 
and  then  rising  up  on  the  crest  of  an  angry  billow  that 
seemed  eager  to  take  it  down. 

"Oh,  father !  isn't  this  grand  ?  "  exclaimed  Fergus,  as 
with  dilated  eyes  and  tense  muscles  he  crouched  on  the 
seat  beside  the  chief  trader,  who  held  the  steering  oar. 

But  his  father  was  too  absorbed  in  his  critical  task  to 
make  any  response.  They  were  nearing  the  Cellar  now, 
and  his  utmost  skill  would  soon  be  called  for.  This  ])lace 
they  called  the  Cellar  was  one  of  the  most  dangeroiH 
spots  on  the  river.  After  dashing  and  whirling  about 
furiously  through  gravel  banks  and  boulders,  the  torrent 
took  a  sudden  leap  into  a  deep  pool,  which  l)ore  some 
resemblance  to  the  cellar  of  a  house,  and  thus  got  its 
name. 

"Sit  ye  doon,  now,  Fergus,'*  said  Mr.  MacTavish, as 


Keryus  M»c 


i 

I 

If 


1,  as 


i  the  roar  of  1 
take  a  big  ji 

f       "Nae  fee 

I  Fergus,  who 
he  had  such 
^^•as. 

It  would 

I  once,  for  b( 
they  were  o 
<:oing  at  full 
and  then  di^ 
It  struck  1 
solid  rock,  a 
over  on  the 
over  the  gur 
' '  1  ake  ca 
trader,  mak 
perceived. 

lUit  he  wa 
loosened  Fei 
of  the  boat 
shriek  of  ter 
seething  foai 
"My  Go 
throwing  do 
son,  while  tl 
genre,  spran 
steering. 

There  was 
inm  as  the; 
peered  anxic 


,,# 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


61 


the  roar  of  the  fall  made  itself  heard.     "  We're  gaen  to 
take  a  big  jump,  and  ye  might  fall  oot." 

*<  Xae  fear,  father.  I'm  all  right  here,"  responded 
Fergus,  who  did  not  want  to  change  his  position  because 
he  had  such  a  good  view  of  everything  from  where  he 

was. 

It  would  have  been  better  for  him  had  he  obeyed  at 
once,  for  before  his  father  could  repeat  his  command, 
they  were  on  the  brink  of  the  drop.  The  heavy  boat 
going  at  full  speed  shot  out  half  its  lengih  into  the  air, 
and  then  dived  into  the  dark  po'ol  below. 

It  struck  the  water  with  a  shock  as  though  it  had  been 
solid  rock,  and  at  the  same  moment  careened  violently 
over  on  the  side  where  Fergus  was,  the  water  rushing  in 
over  the  gunwale. 

"Take  care  !  Fergus,  take  care  !  "  shouted  the  chief 
trader,  making  a  grasp  at  his  son,  whose  danger  he 
perceived. 

lUit  he  was  just  a  second  too  late.  The  sudden  shock 
loosened  Fergus'  hold  of  tlie  gunwale,  and  the  careening 
of  the  boat  threw  him  off  his  balance.  With  a  shrill 
shriek  of  terror  he  pitched  forward,  and  vanished  in  the 
seething  foam  ! 

"My  God!  the  laddie!"  cried  Mr.  MacTavish, 
throwing  down  the  steering  oar  and  pUmging  after  his 
son,  while  the  stroke  oar  of  the  boat,  with  quick  intelli- 
gence, sprang  into  his  place  to  take  charge  of  the 
steering. 

There  was  a  chorus  of  startled  exclamations  from  the 
mm  as  they  hurriedly  got  their  oars  into  pla(  c,  and 
peered  anxiously  into  the  water  for  the  first  sign  of  the 


62 


FERGCS   MAC   TAVISH. 


swimmers.  For  a  moment  or  two  nothing  was  visible 
save  the  whirling  froth.  Then  amid  cries  of  *'  Voikl 
Voila  I  "  Mr.  MacTavish's  head  rose  to  the  surface,  and 
a  moment  after  Fergus  appeared  some  little  distance 
away. 

It  vas  well  for  Fergus  that  he  had  learned  to  swim, 
He  needed  all  his  knowledge  now.  The  water  spun 
round  and  round  in  mighty  eddies,  and  seemed  lo  be 
trying  its  best  to  drag  him  down  again  ere  his  father 
could  reach  him. 

''Keep  oop,  Fergus!  Keep  oop  !  "  cried  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish.   "  Fm  coming  tae  ye." 

Fergus  heard  the  cry  and  turned  toward  his  father, 
struggling  bravely  with  the  furious  flood.  Half  a  dozen 
strenuous  strokes,  and  Mr.  MacTavish's  hand  was  upun 
his  shoulder. 

'*Eh,  laddie,"  said  he,  with  a  sigh  of  vast  relief, 
'*  You're  all  richt  noo      Fll  take  ye  safe  to  land." 

The  shore  was  near,  and  in  another  minute  father  and 
son  were  standing  upun  it,  the  chief  trader  having  no 
other  thought  than  fervent  gratitude,  but  Fergus  feelini: 
very  much  ashamed  of  himself  because  he  knew  what  had 
happened  wms  all  his  own  fault. 

By  this  lime  others  of  the  boats  had  arrived,  and  the 
men  crowded  around  the  two  dripping  figiu'es  with  eager 
questions  and  voluble  admiration  for  their  leader's  action, 

"  That'll  do,  that'll  do,"  said  Mr.  MacTavish,  after  he 
had  assured  them  that  both  he  and  his  son  were  none  the 
worse  for  their  wetting,  '  We'll  make  a  halt  here  kir 
dinner.  Just  let  the  other  boats  know  ;  and  you,  Fergus, 
get  oot  yer  bag,  and  put  some  dry  claes  on  ye." 


Fergus  s 
and  rame  I 

"  Father 
trouble,"  ; 
<'  I  should 

"  It's  a  t 
MacTavish 
not  doing 

''  No,  in 
my  seat  at 
brighicr  toi 
give  him  t 
matter  droj 

After  a  k 
the  drijjpin 
the  fire,  th 
men  to  row 
were  alway:^ 
meant  abou 
was  at  all  fa 
were  (Iroi)pi 
body  excej) 
weed. 

I'ergus  h: 
hut  its  spec 
him,  and  Ik 
he  did  not 
when  this  r 
his  father : 

'*  Father, 
you?" 


■1 


FERGUS   MAC   TAYISH. 


63 


Fergus  started  to  obey  the  order,  then  checked  himself, 
and  came  back  to  his  father. 

''  Father,  Fm  sore  sorry  that  1  gave  you  so  much 
trouble,"  said  he,  his  eyes  filling  and  his  lip  trembling. 
'•  I  should  have  sat  down  the  instant  you  told  me." 

"  It's  a  true  word  you're  saying,  Hddie,"  assented  Mr. 
Mac  lavish,  "  but  I  think  ye'U  not  soon  forget  what  your 
not  doing  it  cost  you,  eh,  Fergus  ?  " 

"  No,  indeed,  father,  I  won't.  Fll  promise  you  to  keep 
my  seat  at  the  next  rapid,"  responded  the  boy  in  a 
briii;hier  tone,  for  he  saw  that  his  father  did  not  intend  to 
[rive  him  the  scolding  he  felt  he  deserved,  and  so  the 
matter  dropped. 

After  a  longer  halt  than  usual  for  dinner  m  order  that 
the  drii)[)ing  clothes  might  be  thoroughly  dried  before 
the  fire,  the  journey  was  resumed.  The  rule  was  for  the 
men  to  row  for  a  space  of  time  called  a//y^<f,  because  they 
were  always  allowed  a  smoke  at  the  end  of  it.  A  />i/>e 
meant  about  two  hours'  steady  rowing  when  the  weather 
was  at  all  favorable.  At  the  end  of  this  time  the  oars 
were  dropped,  the  pipes  lit,  and  for  ten  minutes  every- 
body cxcej)t  F'ergus  gave  himself  to  the  enjoyment  of  the 
\\t.'ed. 

I'ergus  had  never  thought  much  about  smoking  before, 
hut  its  si)ecial  importance  on  this  boating  trip  impressed 
him,  and  he  felt  that  the  others  had  an  enjoyment  which 
he  did  not  share.  With  him  to  think  was  to  act ;  and 
when  this  notion  came  into  his  head  he  at  once  asked 
his  father : 

"  i'ather,  may  I  learn  to  smoke  a  i)ipe  like  the  rest  of 
you?" 


I 


64 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


Mr.  Mac^'avish  looked  down  into  the  eager  face,  and 
read  the  boy's  thoughts  as  though  they  had  been  printec 
upon  it. 

**  It's  small  wonder  ye  ask  me  that  question,  Ferg^js, 
seeing  we're  all  puffing  about  ye  like  so  many  chimneys, 
but  do  you  know,  latidit ,  I'd  be  richt  glad  if  ye'd  never 
take  to  the  pij  >-,  Aioi.'y  a  bit  of  siller  has  it  cost  me, 
and  I  canna  sa)  Tm  anywise  the  better  mon  for  it." 

*' But,  father,  uil  th'  "Tien  smoke;  and  shouldn't  I 
smoke,  too,  when  I  am  a  man  ?  ' '  argued  Fergus. 

''  It's  not  easy  for  me  to  say  ye  nay,  laddie,  when  I 
have  to  take  the  pipe  out  of  my  mouth  to  do  it,"  replied 
Mr.  MacTavish,  ''  but  I'll  tell  ye,  Fergus,  if  ye' 11  promise 
me  not  to  touch  tobacco  until  ye  are  a  mon,  that  is  till 
ye're  twenty-one  years  of  age,  I'll  gie  ye  my  word  to  say 
nae  more  aboot  it ;  and  if  ye  are  bound  to  smoke  then, 
I'll  gie  ye  the  finest  pipe  that  money  can  buy.  What  dae 
ye  say,  Fergus  ?  " 

Fergus  thought  for  a  moment,  and  then  with  a  quick 
air  of  decision  put  his  small  hand  in  his  father's  big  pahii, 

''I'll  promise  you,  father,"  he  said.  "  Here's  iry 
hand  on  it." 

''Spoken  like  a  tnie  MacTavish,"  cried  the  chief 
trader,  his  face  beaming  with  pride  and  pleasure.  "Ye 
make  my  poor  heart  glad,  Fergus,  and  right  well  I  know 
ye' 11  never  break  yer  word." 

Y ox  pipe  Vihtr  pipe  all  through  the  long,  lovely  day,  the 
boat  brigade  made  steady,  if  not  very  rapid  progress, 
Tlic  country  through  which  they  passed  was  constantlv 
changing  in  character.  From  the  turbulent  torrer.t 
where  Fergus'  mishap  o»      rred,  they  entered  into  a  scricj 


1" 


i  M 


oi'  little  lal 
which  tliey 
startling  du( 
getting  with 
fully  upon  tl 
lay  ready  lo 
lost  no  oppo 
rever   failin 
Sunietiines  1 
'•  Tiicrc, 
gcLSC  paddli 
danger,  woi 
binv   now, 
I)ai>i:.ste.    \\ 
QuiverinL? 
in  the  bow  a 
"Xotyet, 
began  to  tak 
"Ye' 11  only 
jpcwder." 

At  last  Fei 
[hoKliiig  his  1 
\\'\>  brc:ist  lik 
[luiTel  for  an 
With  wild 
IvouKl  dart  tl 
Isuadccl  to  rei 
[chief  trader 
[three  or  four 
At  kast  a 
Fergus  succe 


FKRGITS    .AfAC   TAVISH. 


65 


e,  and 
rinted  4 


s  ir.v 


M 


ot"  little  lakes  dotted  with  innumerable  islets,  through 
Kvhi(  h  they  had  to  thread  their  way  with  exceeding  care, 
I  startling  ducks  from  their  calm  security,  and  sometimes 
[getting  within  range  of  regiments  of  geese  floating  grace- 
fully upon  the  still  water.  Mr.  MacTavish's  gun  always 
jlav  ready  loaded  upon  the  seat  within  his  reach,  and  he 
lost  no  opportunity  of  letting  drive  at  these  birds,  Fergus 
never  failing  to  follow  suit  to  the  best  of  his  ability. 
J Sometimes  he  would  let  Fergus  have  the  first  shot. 

'•  Tiiere,  laddie  !  "  he  would  say,  as  a  flock  of  ducks  or 

I  geese  patldling  about  some  serene  cove,  innocent  of  all 

Idanger,  would  come  into   view.      **  Get  ye  oop  to  thv. 

jbow  now,    and    make    no   noise.       Pull   gently,  there . 

bapliste.    We'll  creep  as  close  as  we  can." 

Quivering  with  excitement,  Fergus  would  brace  himself 
I  in  the  bow  and  get  ready  to  fire. 

"  Xot  yet,  laddie,  not  yet,"  would  his  father  cry,  as  he 
IbeL^an  to  take  aim  when  the  birds  were  still  too  far  off. 
"Ve'll  only  frighten  them,  and  get  naething  for  your 
Ipcnvder." 

At  last  Fergus  would  get  the  signal  to  fire ;  and  then 
Ihokliug  his  breath,  wliile  his  heart  thumped  away  inside 
his  hreiLst  like  a  trip-hanmer,  he  would  sight  along  the 
|bairel  for  an  instant,  and  pidl  the  trigger. 

With  wild  clamor  of  (juacking  and  whirring  wings,  up 
IwouKl  dart  the  ducks,  save  such  as  Fergus'  shot  had  per- 
suaded to  remain  ;  and  then  bang  !  bang  !  would  go  the 
chief  tradei's  doul)le-barrel,  and  down  would  tumble 
jthree  or  four  of  the  plumi)  beauties. 

At  least  a  dozen  fine  ducks  and  two  biif  geese  did 
[Fergus  succeed  in  bringing  down  during  the  journey, 


6Q 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


^nd  had  therefore  good  reason  to  feel  somewhat  proud  of 
hii-uself.  The  birds  made  a  most  welcome  addition  to 
the  camp  dinner,  and  Mr.  MacTavish  took  care  that  each 
boat  had  its  turn  in  enjoying  the  treat  of  roast  duck. 

There  was  another  kind  of  bird  that  gave  Fergus  gre:; 
amusement.  They  had  the  odd  name  of  "  whiskey-jack,' 
however  they  had  come  by  it,  and  were  the  most  in 
quisitive,  impudent,  graceless  little  bundles  of  feather 
imaginable.  They  were  of  a  bluish-gray  color,  an^. 
about  the  size  of  a  blackbird.  The  supreme  desire  o; 
their  lives  seemed  to  be  to  get  the  voyageur^s  food  ;  ar.c 
as  there  were  always  plenty  of  scraps  thrown  out  after  the 
men  had  finished  their  meals,  these  whiskey-jacks  hoveru 
about  continually,  snapping  greedily  at  every  mors  1 
So  daring  were  they  in  satisfying  their  appetite,  that  the} 
would  come  up  within  a  few  feet  of  anybody  that  wi 
eating,  and  look  up  at  him  with  an  expression  tl  t  sai 
as  plainly  as  words  : 

**  Here  now,  don't  be  greedy.   Give  me  some  of  that.' 

Baptiste  told  Fergus  that  by  putting  apiece  of  pemiri 
can  in  your  hand  for  bait,  you  could  catch  one  of  th' 
saucy  little  creatures.  So  he  tried  the  experiment.  Takin,' 
a  tempting  bit  of  pemmican,  he  went  off  to  one  side  of 
the  camp,  and  lying  down  on  the  grass,  covered  his  face 
with  leaves,  and  stretched  out  his  baited  palm  with  the 
fing':^rs  ready  to  clutch. 

He  had  not  long  to  wait.  Whether  by  scent  or  sight, 
the  birds  soon  discovered  the  bait  and  darted  toward  it. 
For  a  moment  or  two  they  hesitated.  There  was  surely 
something  suspicious  about  that  white  liand  with  its  up- 
curving  fingers.     It  did  certainly  look  like  a  trap.     Hut 


then  the  p( 

Anthony  a 
I  such  a  temp 

nieant  "He 
idash  for  the 
He  hrd  i 

it  away  rej( 

finL:ers   clos( 
I  prisoner. 

He  did  not 
I  shrieked  ant 

furious  man  I 
jopljrohrious 
Hike  a  tiger-c 
lofkilhng  th 
I  whereupon,  ■ 
lbout:h  near  1 
i  looked  back 
'•  You  can 
Fergus  can 
iin  different  y 

them  go  free 
[with  indigna 
The  close  ' 
Ipkice  for  can 

had  entered 
[stream,  hard! 
I  boats  the  oa 
I £111(1  willows  t 
|ofo[)en  watei 
Ihe  slurdv 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


67 


sight, 
ard  it. 
surely 
its  lip- 
But 


then  tb.c  pcnimican.  What  a  juicy  morsel !  Were  St. 
Anthony  a  whiskey-jack  he  could  hardly  have  withstood 
such  a  temptation.  So  with  a  shrill  chirp,  that  no  doubt 
meant  ''Here  goes,"  the  boldest  of  the  party  made  a 
dash  for  the  bait. 

He  hrd  it  securely  in  his  bill  and  was  about  to  carry 

it  away  rejoicing,   when   the  trap  went  off,   the  white 

;  finders   closed    tightly    upon    his    feet,    and    he   was   a 

prisoner.     Then  if  ever  a  bird  got  into  a  passion  he  did. 

He  did  not  seem  so   much   terrified   as   enraged.     He 

shrieked  and  stormed  and  struggled  in  the  most  absurdly 

furious  manner.     He  exhausted  his  entire  vocabulary  of 

|oi)i)robrions  names  upon  his  captor.   He  bit  and  scratched 

like  a  tiirer-cub,  until  at  length  Fergus,  who  had  no  idea 

of  killing  the  frantic  little  creature,  was  f^iin  to  let  it  go; 

jwhereuijon,  with  magnificent  impudence,  it  flew  off  to  a 

i bough  near  by,  and  perching  there  in  supposed  security, 

I  looked  back  at  him  in  a  way  that  plainly  meant : 

'•  Vou  can't  fool  me  that  way  again,  you  big  bully." 

Fergus  caught  a  good  many  whiskey-jacks  after  that 
I  in  (lilTercnt  ways,  just  for  amusement,  as  he  always  let 
I  them  go  free  aftei  they  had  screamed  themselves  hoarse 
Ivith  ir.dignation. 

The  close  of  this  day  found  the  brigade  in  a  very  poor 
kilace  for  camping.  After  leaving  the  chain  of  lakes  they 
I  had  entered  the  river  Sion,  a  narrow,  crooked,  sluggish 
|stream,  hardly  wide  enough  to  admit  the  passage  of  the 
iboats  the  oars  continually  getting  entangled  in  the  grass 
land  willows  that  grew  on  either  side  of  the  narrow  space 
|of  ojjen  water. 

Hie  sturdy  z'oyagiiirs  toiled  awa)  until  dark,  hoping  to 


tl 


68 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


reach  some  spot  where  there  would  be  sufficient  dr 
ground  upon  which  to  camp,  but  the  darkness  came  o:. 
before  they  were  successful,  and  at  last  a  halt  had  tolr 
made  in  a  willow  swamp,  where  all  around  was  mud  anc 
water. 

*'Hech!    but  this's  a  poor  place  to  lodge  in,"  saic  f 
Mr.  MacTavish,  smiling  grimly.     ''  I  wad  'na  care  to 
sleep  on  that  ground.     We'll  just  have  to  bide  in  the 
boats  and  make  the  best  of  it." 

No  fires  could  be  made.  So  the  party  had  to  contem 
themselves  with  a  cold  supper,  and  then  get  such  skr 
as  they  could  stretched  out  upon  the  thwarts  of  the  boat?; 
so  that  it  was  upon  a  rather  weary  and  cross  lot  of  peo*- 
pie  that  the  sun  rose  the  next  morning,  especially  as  the 
mosquitoes  had  been  particularly  active  and  enterprising 
during  the  night. 

Without  waiting  for  dawn  the  brigade  started  again, 
and  after  a  couple  of  hours'  hard  work  passed  out  of  the 
muddy  Sion  into  the  deep,  discolored  Black  River,  where 
the  going  was  much  better.  By  the  middle  of  this  da\ 
they  reached  the  Portage  Haute  de  Terre,  that  is,  the 


height  of  land  which  divides  the  waters  flowing 


soiit;. 


into  Lake  Winnipeg  from  those  flowing  north  into  Hud- 
son's Bay.  Here  Fergus  saw  his  first  full  portage,  and 
was  greatly  interested. 

The  fir.it  business  was  to  carry  over  the  lading  of  the 
boats,  and  in  doing  this  each  crew  looked  after  its  own 
cargo.  The  goods  being  put  up  securely  in  packs  of 
about  ninety  pounds  weight,  were  toted  over  on  the  men's 
backs.  Then  after  a  pipe  and  a  rest  they  turned  to  the 
boats.     In  getting  them  over  the  whole  brigade  devoted 


itself  to  eac 
harnessed  t 
straps  aero.- 
tions  at  the 
nccdetl,  an( 
underneath 
Tiien  witl- 
their  elums) 
opposing   w 
launch  her  c 
Fergus  th 
his  eaiiernes 
was  pulling ; 
one  of  the  r 
boat  had  no 
him  up  as  th 
into  the  how 
tion  he  supe 
Duriui,^  th 
famous  Big 
on  tlie  whole 
furious  rapic 
tagcd  to  th' 
of  six  men, 
oar,  took  dc 
hard  to  run 
boats  had  }) 
consented. 

"  Ve  ma} 
"  l)ut  mind 
bit  in  the  n: 


I  ' 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


69 


itself  to  each  boat  in  turn.  Two-thirds  of  the  voyageiirs 
JKirncssed  themselves  to  the  boats  in  front  by  means  of 
straps  across  their  breasts,  while  others  took  their  j)osi- 
lioiis  at  the  sides  to  hold  her  steady  and  lift  her  when 
needed,  and  others  still  were  ready  with  rollers  to  put 
iinclerneath  her  keel. 

Then  with  much  shouting  they  started  off,  dragging 
tlieir  clumsy  burden  over  the  rude  portage  path  until  the 
opposing  waterfall  was  circumvented,  and  they  could 
launch  her  again  in  the  smooth  water  beyond. 

Fergus  thought  this  a  very  fine  performance,  and  in 
his  eairerness  to  help  took  hold  of  one  of  the  lines,  and 
was  i)ulling  away  \\  ith  all  his  might  when  he  tripped  ui)on 
one  of  the  rollers,  and  might  have  been  run  over  by  the 
boat  had  not  big  Btptiste,  perceiving  his  danger,  picked 
him  up  as  though  he  had  been  a  kitten,  and  droj^ped  him 
iiuo  the  bow  of  the  boat,  from  which  advantageous  posi- 
tion he  su}jerintended  the  remainder  of  the  haul. 

During  the  course  of  the  next  day  they  came  to  the 
famous  Big  Hill  Rapids,  the  most  difficult  and  dangerous 
on  tlie  whole  journey.  In  order  to  the  safe  passage  of  tb.ese 
furious  rapids  all  the  lading  of  the  boats  had  to  be  por- 
taged to  the  foot  of  the  turmoil.  Then  a  picked  crew 
of  six  men,  with  Mr.  MacTavish  himself  at  the  steering 
oar,  took  down  the  1-  ats  one  by  one.  Fergus  begged  so 
hard  to  run  this  foaming  gauntlet  that,  after  three  of  the 
boats  had  passed  through  without  any  mishap,  his  father 
consented. 

"  Ve  may  come  doon  just  for  once,  Fergus,"  said  he, 
"but  mind  ye,  no  kneeling  oop  on  the  seat.  Ye  must 
sit  in  the  middle  of  the  boat  and  hold  flist." 


f 


CHAPTER  V. 


A    SIGHT   OF    THE    SALT   SEA. 


rpiU'^  passage  thrciigh    the  I^ig  Hill    Rapids  was  a: 


T 


intensely  exeiting  one,  and  there  were  mumcntj 
when  Fergus  wished  to  the  bottom  of  his  heart  that  1>: 
had  not  left  the  land.  For  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  iiu.c 
the  big,  broad  boat  was  hurled  through  and  over  the 
water  as  though  it  were  a  mere  chip.  Baptiste  on  the 
bow  and  the  chief  trader  on  the  stern  were  never  f(jra 
moment  still ;  while  in  obedience  to  their  sharp  commaiKv 
the  oarsmen  gave  powerful  strokes,  now  on  this  side,  now 
on  the  other,  and  then  altogether,  according  todire(tion>, 

For  one  who  did  not  know  the  Rapids  thorougiily  t u 
have  atteni])led  to  run  them  would  mean  certain  destruc- 
tion for  his  boat,  and  death  for  himself.  Even  in  li 
experienced  hands  of  Mr.  MacTavish  and  Baptiste  the. 
were  possibilities  of  danger,  as  was  i)roved  by  the  faa 
that  the  boat  in  which  Fergus  went  down  struck  a  jai,;L;eii 
boulder  and  lost  a  large  piece  off  her  keel,  while  othc^ 
were  more  or  less  injured,  and  a  halt  had  to  be  calltd 
at  the  foot  of  the  Rajiids  that  the  necessary  repairs  migh; 
be  made. 

Amid  sucli  incidents  the  journey  was  ])ursued  da; 
after  day,  the  weather  hai)i)ily  continuing  fine,  the  jiro- 
gress  made  being  satisfactory,  and  ever>body  feeliii|,Mn 
excellent  humor.  Presently  the  Steel  River  was  reachul, 
and  once  the  boats  lloated  out  upon  this  wide,  deep  strum 
70 


all  diffKnilti 
ini,^  Nor\va\ 
l,ecn  made, 
j  roniised  t' 
more  rapid 
Mr.  Ma> 
"  Noo,  1' 
'•'j'he  wine 
it's  little  m( 
TIk.'  oars 
sails,  for  wl 
were  hoiste 
brigade  swc 
picture  in  t 
Plie  day 
been  very 
after  curve 
tended  ther 
ful  night  th 
(lipping  lig 
suddenly  in 
a/ure  above 
I'V'rgus  w 
of  these  be 
and  It  seen' 
Ills  father  v 
"  Nay,  n 
things? 
riilit  to  kil 
bceling 
put  in  that 


FERGUS    MAC   TAVISPI. 


71 


all  (iitTunilties  of  navigation  were  at  an  end.  Since  leav- 
\\v^  Norway  House  more  than  thirty  weary  portages  had 
been  made,  and  rapids  innumerable  run.  Henreforth  it 
1  rijini^cd  to  be  all  plain  sailing.  No  more  portages,  no 
uv.)i'c  rapids. 

Mr.  Ma<  'lavish  was  in  high  spirits. 

"  Noo,  I'ergus,  we  can  take  it  easy  for  a  bit,"  said  he. 
•The  wind  and  the  current  will  do  our  work  for  us,  and 
it's  little  more  than  a  hundred  miles  to  York." 

Tiic  oars  were  taken  in  and  laid  along  the  thwarts,  the 
K\\h,  for  which  there  had  been  hardly  any  use  hitherto, 
wltc  hoisted,  and  with  a  strong  favoring  breeze  the 
hrii^ade  swej)t  down  the  river,  making  a  very  pretty 
picture  in  the  midst  of  the  unbroken  wilderness. 

The  (lay  had  dawned  brightl}-,  and  the  morning  had 
been  very  fine  and  warm.  As  the  boats  turned  curve 
after  curve  of  the  river,  flocks  of  snow-white  gulls  at- 
tended them,  seeming  to  like  their  company.  In  grace- 
ful flight  they  sailed  about  the  swiftly  moving  craft,  now 
dijjping  lightly  in  the  ripi)ling  water,  and  then  rising 
suddenly  in  long,  ra})id  circles  till  they  vanished  in  the 
azure  above. 

Fergus  wanted  very  much  to  try  if  he  could  shoot  one 
of  these  beautiful  birds  ;  they  came  so  temptingly  near, 
and  It  seemed  so  easy  to  bring  one  of  them  down.  But 
his  father  would  not  hear  of  it. 

'*  Nay,  na/,  laddie.  Why  should  you  shoot  the  bonnie 
things?  They're  nae  good  to  eat,  and  surely  it's  na 
rielit  to  kill  onything  for  the  mere  pleasure  of  it." 

Feeling  rather  ashamed  of  himself  on  the  case  being 
put  in  that  way,  Fergus  put  down  his  gim,  saying  : 


72 


FERGUS   MA.C   TA VISIT. 


"  No,  father,  I  don't  think  it  is  right.  It  would  have 
been  cruel  for  me  to  kill  one  of  thcjse  beautiful  birds  jujt 
because  they  came  so  near,"  said  he. 

"  Make  this  your  rule,  Fergus;  for  it's  a  gude  one." 
said  the  chief  trader:  "Never  to  take  the  life  of  onv 
creetur  in  empty  si)ort.  God  did  na  gie  them  to  us  fur 
that,  and  he  canna  think  weel  of  ony  one  that  does  sudi 
things." 

*'  But,  father,  tliere's  nae  harm  in  shooting  ducks  or 
geese  when  you  want  to  eat  them,  is  there?"  a>ked 
Fergus,  looking  a  little  }nizzled. 

"  Ah  !  that's  a  verra  differeiU  matter,  laddie,"  rci)l!cd 
Mr.  MacTavish.  "They're  grand  eating,  and  God  has 
made  them  for  our  food.  Do  ve  ken  ?  Ye  need  ulvit 
hesitate  aboot  bringing  doon  a  brace  of  ducks,  or  a  \\\v, 
fat  goose.  Ye  can  roast  them  for  your  dinner,  and  ^ie 
God  thanks  for  putting  sich  fine  birdies  into  the  world, " 

"  Oh  !  now  I  understand  \ou,  father,  an'  I'll  tiv  to 
mind  your  good  rule,"  said  Fergus.  "  So  the  gulls  have 
nothing  to  fear  from  me." 

"Perhaps  they  mightn't  have  ony  way,  Fergus,"  re- 
turned his  father,  with  a  smile.  "  It's  nae  easy  thini,^  lu 
shoot  one  of  them,  though  they  do  come  sae  near;  hut," 
continued  Mr.  MacTavish,  "  dae  ye  see  how  strangely 
tlu'y're  fl\ing?  I'm  thinking  they're  telling  us  that 
there'll  be  bad  weather  soon." 

"Do  you  think  there'll  be  a  storm,  father?"  asked 
Fergus,  in  a  tone  of  some  anxiety,  not  at  all  relishing 
the  idea  of  such  an  event  without  a  ro(jf  to  cover  him. 

"I  should  na  wonder,  laddie,  if  we  have  a  bit  of  a 
storm  before   midnight,"    was  the  not   very   reas.suring 


«s* 


ireilv.    ''"Hn 
hail  marvrloi 
As  the  aft 
iblack.  tlirea 
ami  Liurvati 
l  water  and  tl 
fr>.iu  the  htt 
rati*-  tlight, 
|,ka>ant  to 
giuwl  of  the 
nin.i;  llashec 
there  came 
hoii/on,  foil 
reii'l   the  Ik 
haired,  the  < 
"./  (rrrr 
|)i.inlc(l  towi 
d'liihle  over 
fares,  ami  th 
Cowering  in 
furious  eleiT 
nin-,',  scemc 
slriK  tion. 
face,   and  t 
c'oinniands, 
were  in  dan 
On  (laslie 
all  about  t 
succession  i 
just  as  the  i 
of  which  tl 


w 


FERfJUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


73 


Irc'W.    "  I^ut  we  maun  take  things  as  they  come.    We've 

/had  marvi'lous  fine  weather  so  far." 

'  A>  the  afternoon  advanced,  tlic  sun  disappeared  behind 
hhu  k.  threatening  clouds;  the  air  became  hot,  heavy, 
and  euervaliiig  ;  sudden  gusts  of  win(1  disturbed  the  dark 
watiT  and  then  died  away  again  ;  the  ducks  disai)peared 
fi  -111  the  httle  coves,  and  the  gulls,  still  wheeling  in  er- 
rati<  llight,  gave  forth  shrill,  mournful  cries  that  were  not 
j  ka>ant  to  hear,  for  they  had  an  ominous  sound  ;  the 
piuwl  of  the  thunder  grew  steadily  nearer,  and  the  light- 
w.wj,  Hashed  forth  from  the  inky  clouds.  .Suddenly, 
there  came  a  blaze  of  lightning  tliat  lit  up  the  whole 
I  horizon,  f(.)llowed  by  a  crash  of  thunder  vhich  seemed  to 
ri'iid  the  heavens,  and  then,  with  a  hiss  as  of  fiercest 
Ihiired,  the  storm  sprang  ui)on  the  boat  brigade. 

"./  tt'rre !  a  terre !''  is  the  cry,  as  the  boats  are 
I  > tinted  toward  the  nearest  bank,  and  the  rowers  bend 
d  nihle  over  their  oars.  I'he  frothing  waves  dash  in  their 
faces,  and  the  heavy  boats  toss  and  pitch  like  light  canoes, 
('owering  in  tin  stern,  Fergus  cast  fearful  glances  at  the 
furii)us  elements.  Wind  and  wave,  thunder  and  light- 
nin.,,  seemed  to  ha^e  joined  fort*  s  for  the  I)rigade's  dc- 
striK  tion.  lie  marveled  at  his  father's  (aim,  determim  d 
fice,  and  the  (juiet,  firm  tone  in  which  he  issued  his 
comniaiids,  and  it  gave  him  courage.  Surely,  if  they 
uere  in  danger  of  death,  lie  would  not  be  so  composed. 

On  dashed  the  boats  through  the  water  foaming  angrily 
all  about  them.  The  liank  was  reached,  and  in  (juick 
succession  (he  boats  were  beat  hed.  The  men  leai)ed  out 
just  as  the  rain  came  down  in  m  wild  deluge,  in  the  midst 
of  which  the  tents  were  i)itehed  as  fast  as  hands  could  do 


74 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


it.  But  it  was  labor  in  vain.  Hardly  are  the  tents  n^ 
than  with  an  exultant  shriek  the  gale  charged  upon  then^, 
tore  poles  and  pins  out  of  the  ground,  and  flung  the  ( a;.. 
vass  on  the  ground.  Drenched  to  the  skin,  ur.abk'  to 
make  a  fire,  and  ^\ithout  any  protection  save  that  af- 
ford ed  by  getting  into  the  lee  of  a  clump  of  tecs,  th: 
party  was  comjjelled  to  spend  about  as  miserable  a  nig;.: 
a.s  could  be  imagined. 

Poor  Fergus  found  it  very  hard  to  be  patient.  IIcw 
almost  as  wet  as  if  he  had  fallen  into  the  river,  and  .. 
hungry  as  a  young  bear.  Yet  neither  dry  clothes  nor 
warm  food  were  to  be  had.  'The  best  his  father  could  do 
for  him  was  to  fish  out  some  biscuits  from  the  store.^,  and 
cover  him  with  one  of  the  oilclotlis,  under  which  he 
alternately  dozed  and  fretted  in  utter  discomfort  iiniii 
daybreak. 

Happily  the  storm  spent  itself  during  the  niglu,  and 
the  sun  rose  next  morning  in  unclouded  splendor,  restor- 
ing cheerfulness  to  everybody.  A  start  was  not  made  at  %^4 
once,  as  was  usual,  but  several  hours  were  spent  in  dryin;  |;" 
the  dripi)ing  clothes  and  putting  everythirg  to  rii;hi<, 
When  they  did  get  off  the  breeze  befriended  them  again, 
and  they  made  such  good  headway  that  by  midday  tht.v 
l)assed  out  of  the  Steel  River  into  the  broad  and  beauti- 
ful Hayes  River,  whose  rai)id  current  would  bear  then. 
smoothly  on  to  York  Factory. 

**  Hah  !  hah,  Fergus !  "  said  the  chief  trader,  cxultantlv,  I 
''We've  ncjt  far  to  gang  noo.  We'll  be  at  York  In-  [ 
Uiiy  for  b-eakfast,  if  all  keeps  well." 

*■  Oh — father — how  glad   I   am  I  "  cried  I'ergus,  <l  ; 
j't.^.tj  i  iA  harils  ;  for,  to  tell  the  truth,  hr  was  heartily  .^itk   | 


)i 


of  this  Ion 
each  day  th| 
lie  b.ad  hea 
u{)on  it. 

One  e  the 
of  going  in| 
together,  si 
alter  the  stJ 
rapid   curre^ 
steadily  on 
At  night, 
A  cukl  sii} 
came  all 
llutilla  did  i 
bales  and  si 
Sunrise  1 
Factory, 
journey  the 
sang  and  cl 
much  to  thi 
.seen  tlieni 

'•What  1 

ing  from  1 

JKcause  tlu 

"That's 

eating  and 

nio>t  about 

their  wage 

rin  awa  aj 

they  won'i 

them,  and 


FERGUS  MAC  TA VISIT. 


75 


Ulv, 

Kir. 


of  this  long  and  tedious  boat  journey;  and,  moreover, 
(.Mc'n  dav  that  he  drew  nearer  the  great  salt  sea  of  which 
l,c  luid  heard  so  much,  he  became  more  impatient  to  look 

;.[)()11  it. 

OiK  c  tlicvwerc  well  into  the  Hayes,  the  boats,  instead 
(-f  going  in  Indian  fdc  as  hitherto,  were  all  fastened 
t.iuctlicr,  side  by  side;  and  then  while  one  man  looked 
a.tri"  the  steering  the  others  could  take  their  ease,  as  the 
raMd  current  and  accommodating  breeze  bore  them 
^teadilv  on  to  their  destination. 

At  night,  too,  no  landing  was  made  or  tents  pitched. 
A  (old  suijper  was  eaten  on  board,  and  when  darkness 
( ame  all  but  two  or  three  left  on  watch  to  see   that  the 
ilutilla  did  not  ground,  stretched  themselves  out  upon  the 
bales  and  blei)t  until  morning. 
Sunrise  found  them  within  ten   miles  or  so  of  York 
il    Factory.     The  nearer   they  drew  to   the  end    of  their 
if     journey  the  higher  rose  the  si)irits  of  the  voyagctns.  Tlicy 
sni,u  and  chatted  and  joked  like  a  lot  of  noisy  ( hildrcn, 
uiut  h  lo  tlie  amusement  of  Fergus,  who  had  never  before 
>eeii  them  so  den^onstrative. 

"  W'hal  funny  fellows  they  are,  father  !  "  said  he,  hjok 
ii\U  from  boat  to  boat.  "I  suppose  they're  so  haj))' 
lK(ause  their  work  is  nearly  over." 

"That's  jjartly  their  reason,  Fergus ;  Init  it's  the  fine 
eating  and  drinking  they'll  get  at  \'()rk  they're  ihinl  :^- 
ino>tal)out,"  replied  the  chief  trader.  "  They'll  be  jKud 
tiiur  wages,  ye  ken,  and  they'll  soon  make  their  n^onev 
rin  awa  again,  they're  such  improvident  creeturs  ;  but 
tliev  won't  learn  to  be  more  canny.  lAc  tried  to  teach 
them,  and  I  might  as  well  have  talked  to  the  gulU." 


76 


FERGUS   MAC   TAYISH. 


"  What  a  pity,  isn't  it,  father  ?  "  said  Fergus,  in  a  tore 
of  regretful  sympathy.  "  They're  such  nice  men,  and 
they're  all  sae  gude  to  me." 

By  dint  of  diligent  rowing  York  Factory  was  rcad.ed 
in  good  time  for  breakfast,  and  amid  shout  afttr  shout  ot 
triumph  the  boats  -were  beached  in  front  of  the  Lor', 
while  the  voyageurs  Icajjing  ashore  hugged  one  anotlxr, 
and  danced  about  in  the  most  comical  fashion,  to  (^\\<:k» 
their  delight  at  having  reached  the  end  of  their  long  and 
toilsome  journey. 

A  warm  welconie  was  ready  for  Mr.  Ma(  Tavish  and 
his  son.  Mr.  Frobishcr,  the  chief  factor  at  this  ini|i( ri- 
ant post,  and  many  of  his  staff  of  clerks  and  em}ilo\ei.^, 
came  down  to  nieet  them,  and  after  greetings  were  ex- 
changed, ihey  all  went  into  the  big  dining  hall  where  a 
l^reakfiist.  the  like  of  which  Fcrgi  ..  had  nc  ver  sat  down 
to  before,  aw.Jted  iheir  attention. 

AVhat  splendid  ajjpetites  the}-  had  !  and  what  a  treat  it 
was  to  sit  down  at  a  table  once  more,  and  have  all  the 
appointments  of  ci\  ilization  at  hand  !  Fergus  had  not 
much  to  say  fOx  himself,  indeed  hit  mouth  was  too  full 
for  utterance  during  most  of  ti:e  meal,  but  his  eyes  and 
ears  were  bus} ,  and  what  he  saw  and  heard  greatly  inv 
])rcssed  him  with  the  grandeur  of  York  Factory.  Norway 
House  seemed  comi)letely  cclijised  ;  and  when  he  observed 
the  deference  his  father  paid  to  Mr.  Frobishcr,  he  filt 
(juite  awed  at  being  in  the  i)resencc  of  so  great  a  man. 

When  the  meal  was  over  the  two  chief  officers  went  di 
to  Mr.  Frobishcr's  roi-ms  for  a  confab  ovei-  the  a^t'air^ 
of  the  Company,  and  Fergus  was  left  to  look  after  him- 
self.     lUit  he  had  no  chance  to  feel  strange,   for   the 


\ 


j,res'^nre  ot 
good  deal 
to   take   hi^ 
ease.     In  <" 

;»   around  the 

i   speak. 


York  Fa. 

'S  '    ,       1  >  n       (  1 

••*    soil  s  i>a\  M 
River,  abou 
,  iirreut  with 
1  irin  of  a  la 
wit  Inn  a  hi;.: 
v.vj,  L,Mte  bet 
sU)  )d  in  tlu 
cvca  if  th-y 
ade  ranged  i 
Ii  the  very 
v.'ar.s'  I'UtUt 
side  uf  it    ^^ 
hehind  ran 
tor  the  labo 
''    l!\c  fine,  tw 
;    UAir  by  it  t 
■}    a>   ••  biudiel 
stores  and 
were  scatte 
^t  H)  1   a   sii 
1'\t-us  ,L,^rea 
••  lleeli: 
claim  'd  ;  " 
'•  Cuino  1 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


77 


M)Ci    I 


r-  ■•:ia 


presence  of  a  ^vhite  boy  of  his  tender  years  aroused  a 
i!ood  deal  of  interest,  and  he  tound  the  clerks  ready 
to  take  him  in  charge,  and  help  him  to  feel  at  his 
ease.  In  company  with  a  couple  of  them  he  was  taken 
around  the  establishment,  and  *' shown  the  lions"  so  to 


s'le.ik. 


York  Fai  tory,  then  the  most  important  post  of  the  Hud- 
son's ba\  Company,  stood  upon  the  bank  of  the  Hayes 
Ki\er,  about  five  miles  from  where  it  mingles  its  fresh 
current  with  the  salt  tides  of  the  great  bay.  It  was  in  the 
f  >rni  uf  a  large  scjuare,  contair.ing  fully  ten  acres  enclosed 
witlun  a  high,  strong  stockade,  entered  through  a  frown- 
ing gate  before  whicii  a  battery  of  four  brass  field-pieces 
sto  h1  in  threatening  array,  having  a  very  imposing"  ]')ok 
even  if  they  were  fit  only  for  saluting.  Inside  the  ..i^ck- 
ailc  ranged  in  orderly  fasliion  were  the  different  buildings. 
l\  the  very  cenire  was  the  big  warehouse  containing  two 
years'  outfit  for  the  whole  Northern  department ;  on  either 
side  of  it  were  tlie  visitors'  house,  and  the  mess-room. 
Ilehiiid  ran  a  row  of  small,  low  buildings,  painted  yellow, 
lor  the  laborers  and  voya<;ciif\<.  To  tiie  right  hand  rose 
the  fine,  two-storied  dwelling  of  the  chief  factor,  and 
!i  ar  by  it  the  comfortable  quarters  of  the  clerks,  known 
.b  ••  15a(helor's  Hall."  On  the  left  were  the  prt)vision 
stDfts  and  the  Indian  trading  shop.  Other  buildings 
were  s(  attered  about  the  enclosure,  and  high  above  all 
St )()  1  a  singular  tower  painted  black,  which  puzzled 
Fergus  ureatlv. 

"  llcch  I    but  tliat's  a  (juecr  looking  tiling,"  he  ex- 
claim 'il ;  "  and  what  may  that  be  for?  " 

"  C!'>nie  up  with   me  lo  the  t«jp,  and  you'll  sec,"  an- 


78 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


swered  Alec  Ross,  the  young  clerk  who  was  showing  him 
around. 

*'  That  I  will,"  responded  Fergus.  Soup  the  narrow, 
rickety  stairs  they  climbed,  until  they  were  more  than  a 
hundred  feet  above  the  ground. 

*'Now,"  said  Alec,  pointing  to  the  east,  '^wliat  do 
vou  see  ?  ' ' 

Fergus  looked  in  the  direction  indicated.  His  evfs 
opened  to  their  very  widest ;  his  mouth  made  a  round 
"O,"  and  he  cauglit  his  breath  with  a  gasp  of  astonished 
admiration.  Straight  bcfjre  him  ran  the  speedy  Haves 
River,  broadening  a.s  it  advanced,  until  five  miles  away 
it  poured  its  flood  into  the  mighty  bosom  of  Hudson's 
Bay.  Ijcginning  there  and  stretching  away  until  lh:v 
touched  the  fiirthest  horizon  lay  the  waters  of  the  bav, 
stirred  into  gentle  ripples  by  a  light  breeze,  and  repeat- 
ing the  azure  of  the  heavens  in  their  depths,  while  the 
sun  made  a  broad  path  of  gold  through  their  midst. 

**The  ;5ea !  "  murmured  PYrgus  to  himself.  Then 
turning  to  Alec  :      "  That  is  the  sea,  isn't  it?  " 

"  To  he  sure,"  answered  Alec,  unconcernedly.  For  it 
was  no  novelty  to  him,  as  he  had  had  a  long  voya^'e 
across  it. 

'*  Fm  sae  glad,"  said  Fergus.  "  Fve  sae  lang  wanted 
to  see  it.  The  Li:reat,  salt  sea  !  and  over  there,"  pointin,' 
toward  the  ea-tern  horizon,  "is  Scotland,  where  niv 
father  was  born.  Oh  !  how  joyfu'  I  wad  be  to  gaii,: 
there  in  a  big  ship." 

**  Sill  )ou  were  as  sick  as  I  on  tho  big  ^hip,  }e  would 
na  t)e  sae  joyfu,"  said  Alec,  with  a  smile. 

"  I  wad  na  mind   the  being  sick  awhile  sae  lang  a^  I 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


79 


gat  safe  ashore  agair,"  returned  Fergus,  giving  smile  for 

smile. 
Alec  then  proceeded  to  describe  one    of  the   storms 

throuf''h  which  he  had  passed  on  his  voyage  out ;  and 
l"erL,a:s,  not  to  be  outdone,  told  of  his  thrilling  experience 
ill  the  rapids.  So  that  an  hour  or  more  passed  before 
thev  l)cthought  themselves  of  descending  from  the  look- 
out. 

[list  as  they  came  down,  they  saw  Mr.  Frobisher  and 
Mr.  MacTavish  making  a  tour  of  the  fort. 

"On,  father,"  cried  Fergus,  running  eagerly  up  to 
him,  "  I've  seen  the  sea. 

"  ilae  ye  indeed,  laddie  ?  "  said  the  chief  trader,  pat- 
tini;  his  boy  proudly  on  the  shoulder.  '-And  what  dae 
vc  think  of  it?" 

"I  think,  father,"  and  here  he  hesitated  for  a  mo- 
ment, "  I  think  I'd  gie  a  great  deal  to  be  on  it  in  a  big 
ship,  and  sail  across  to  Scotland." 

"Hoot  awa,  laddie!"  exclaimed  Mr.  MacTavish, 
while  Mr.  Fro])isher  looked  on  with  an  interested  smile. 
'' But  ye're  taking  a  far  flight.  Dae  ye  hear  that,  Mr. 
Frobisher?  Naethin  less  than  all  the  way  to  Scotland  will 
con  tent -him." 

Mr.  Frobisher  gave  Fergus  an  ap|)roving  look. 

"llloodis  thicker  than  water,  Mr.  MacTavish,"  said 
he.  '*  Your  l)oy  is  longing  to  see  the  old  land  just  be- 
(ause  you  came  from  it;  and  no  doubt  you've  talked  to 
hinialM.iit  it.  See  here,  Fergus,"  he  continued,  turning 
to  the  lad.  ''The  ship  will  soon  be  in  from  Fngland, 
wrh  the  goods.  Any  day  may  bring  her,  now\  How 
\\  \\V\  vuu  like  to  Qo  back  in  her^  " 


80 


FEKGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


Fergus,  carried  away  with  delight  at  the  idea,  was  just 
about  to  exclaim : 

*'  Verra  much  indeed,  sir,"  when  his  eye  fell  upon  his 
father.   He  checked  himself,  and  then  asked,  hesitatingly; 

''And  wad  my  father  come  too?"  Mr.  Frobisher 
laughed. 

''Oh,  no  !  "  said  he.  "We  couldn't  possibly  s])are 
your  father ;  but  you  could  be  put  in  charge  of  tr.e 
cai)tain,  you  know.      He'd  look  after  you  right  enough. ' 

The  glad  look  left  Fergus'  face  at  once.  JNlr.  Iro- 
bisher's  rei)ly  changed  the  aspect  of  affairs  entirely.  Tiie 
time  had  not  yet  come  for  him  to  be  willing  to  say 
"good-bye"  to  father  and  mother,  and  i-et  off  on  so  long 
a  journey  alone.  With  a  downcast  expression,  he  made 
answer  : 

"  I  dinna  want  to  gang  without  my  father,  sir." 

"That's  right,  my  boy.  Stick  to  your  father  fir  a 
wliile  yet,"  said  the  chief  factor,  heartily.  "  Ye'll  have 
to  leave  him  to  strike  out  for  yourself  soon  enough." 

The  arrival  of  the  annual  ship  from  England  was  tl.e 
subject  of  su[)reme  interest  at  York  Factory,  especially  as 
she  was  now  several  days  overdue,  and  some  Mx 
anxiety  began  to  be  felt  concerning  her.  Fergus  heara 
about  heron  all  sides,  and  his  curiosity  was  excited  Uj 
the  highest  pitch.  There  was  a  seafaring  element  in  h;^ 
makeup,  his  grandfather  having  been  one  of  the  m^: 
intrepid  fishermen  that  ever  sailed  the  North  SeaiiiqiKN 
of  fumy  treasures;  and  among  his  books  there  were  nouc 
he  read  with  such  interest  as  :;tories  of  the  sea. 

Diu'iiig  the  next  few  da)s,  while  tlie  ship  still  failed  to 
put  in  an  a})i)earance,  and  even  Mr.  Frobisher  be.-;aii  to 


! 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISPI. 


81 


be  worried  about  lier,  Fergus  spent  more  time  in  the 
"  lookout  "  than  anybody  else.  His  was  a  remarkably 
tenacious  nature.  When  an  idea  took  possession  of  hi  in 
he  had  little  thought  for  anytliing  else.  There  were 
DKUiv  novelties  to  interest  him  at  the  fort.  But  so  ab- 
sorbed  was  he  in  thinking  about  the  ship,  that  he  paid 
small  heed  to  them. 

It  was  therefore  only  fair  that  he  should  have  the  honor 
of  being  the  hr-^t  to  sight  the  eagerly  awaited  vessel. 
Monday,  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  August,  dawned  bright 
a*' ■']  clear ;  and  the  first  rays  of  sunlight  that  fl:ished  across 
the  still  waters  of  the  Bay  fouiid  Fergus  alone  on  the 
top  01  the  ' '  lookout, ' '  dancing  for  very  joy  as  he  shouted  : 

"Tiie  ship  !  the  ship  !  I  see  her." 

Down  the  long  flight  of  steps  he  plunged  at  a  reckless 
pace,  and  up  to  Mr.  Frobisher's  door.  In  response  to 
his  vigorous  knocking,  that  gentleman's  head  appeared 
at  the  window. 

*' TJie  ship's  come  !  "  cried  the  excited  boy.  *'  I've 
seen  her." 

"  Voii  have,  eh  !  Fergus?  "  answered  the  chief  factor, 
his  face  lighting  up  at  the  welcome  news.  "  Well  done  ! 
Voti  shall  certainly  go  off  with  me  in  the  schooner  to 
meet  her." 

In  a  few  minutes  the  good  word  spread  through  tlie 
fort  and  ail  was  activity  and  bustle.  Nobody  paid  much 
attention  to  breakfast.  They  were  too  excited  to  eat, 
for  the  great  event  of  the  year  was  at  hand. 

^\iih  as  little  delay  as  possil)le,  the  schooner  which 
I'v  at  anchor  in  front  of  the  fort  was  made  read)',  and 
^h.  Frobisher,  together  with  Mr.  MacTavish  and  several 


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82 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


of  the  clerks,  went  on  board,  Fergus  not  being  forgotten. 
The  sails  were  hoisted  to  a  favoring  breeze,  and  awav 
glided  the  graceful  craft  down  the  river  to  the  bay. 

Fergus  was  in  the  highest  state  of  delight,  and  not 
without  good  reason.  Aside  from  his  own  craving  fur 
the  sea,  there  was  everything  to  make  the  trip  a  pleasure. 
The  day  was  beautiful,  the  wind  blowing  steadily  from 
the  west,  the  schooner  a  capital  sailer,  and  the  company 
in  the  best  of  good  humor. 

Tiie  mouth  of  the  Mayes  was  soon  reached,  and  then 
the  schooner  began  to  pitch  and  toss  among  the  waves  ol 
Hudson  J  jay,  the  breeze  freshening  as  she  left  the  land 
behind.  Presently  a  school  ofwhite  whales  ccneupto 
pay  their  respects  to  her,  rolling  clumsily  through  the 
green  water,  pufhng  and  panting  as  if  they  were  wry 
much  out  of  breath. 

"  Why,  father !  "  cried  Fergus,  full  of  wonder  at  these 
monsters.    '*  What  are  they  ?  Sic  odd-looking  creatures!'' 

"Those  are  whales,  white  whales,"  replied  the  diief 
trader.  "Maybe  ye' 11  have  the  chance  t)  see  how  thiv 
catch  them  before  ye  leave  York." 

**Oh,  but  that  wad  be  grand,  father!"  exclainutl 
Fergus.  "It  maun  be  fine  hport  catching  sic  fish  as 
those." 

Mr.  Frobisher  overheard  their  conversation,  and  turn- 
ing toward  them,  said : 

"If  ye'll  wait  until  Fm  through  with  the  ship,  T  i 
promise  to  give  you  a  day's  white  whale  fishing." 

"  Verra  weel,  Mr.  Frobisher,"  responded  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish.  "I'd  like  to  see  the  si)()rt  myself.  So  we'll 
accept  your  kind  offer." 


FFEGTTS  MAC  TAVISH. 


83 


A  couple  of  hours  smart  sailing  took  the  schooner 
alonL,'side  of  the  advancing  ship,  and  a  boat  being 
lowered,  Mr.  P'robisher  and  Mr.  MacTavish  went  on 
Ixjard.  While  they  were  exchanging  greetings  with  the 
aiptain  and  glancing  through  their  letters  from  the 
licadquarters  of  the  Company,  Fergus  was  examining  the 
big  vessel  with  the  keenest  interest. 

Tlic  "  Prince  of  Wales  "  was  a  fine  ship  of  nearly  six 
hundred  tons,  built  in  the  strongest  manner  so  as  to  with- 
stand the  fierce  buffeting  that  usually  befell  her  in  the 
ditificult  passage  of  Hudson's  Straits.  The  little  schooner 
seemed  like  a  mere  sailboat  beside  her,  and  Fergus, 
looking  up  at  the  lofty  masts  tapering  away  into  the  air, 
thought  he  had  never  before  seen  anything  so  imposing. 
The  sight  of  the  masts  with  their  maze  of  rigging  and 
sturdy  spars  filled  him  with  a  strong  desire  to  climb 
them.  He  followed  with  his  eye  the  rope  ladders  lead- 
ing to  the  trucks  and  the  stays  going  right  to  the  top, 
and  made  up  his  mind  that  ere  he  was  many  days  older, 
he  would  climb  as  close  to  the  peak  as  a  boy  could  get. 
He  was  sorry  his  father  had  not  taken  him  on  board  with 
him.     He  felt  like  making  the  attempt  right  away. 

Hut  he  had  a  better  sense  of  proi)riety  tiian  to  push  his 
way  on  deck  uninvited  ;  and  when  his  father  did  appear, 
it  was  evident  that  no  time  was  to  be  lost  in  returning  V) 
York  Factory,  so  that  he  wivs  comjielied  to  postpone  his 
ambitious  designs  until  a  more  favorable  opportunity. 

Hur'lencd  with  letters  and  [)apers  more  ])rccioiis  than 
K')M.  Mr.  Frobisher  and  Mr.  MacTavish  returned  to  the 
schooner,  and  all  sail  was  made  for  tlie  fort,  the  ship  fol- 
lowing at  a  more  leisurely  pace  and  st<,'ering  for  Five 


84 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


Fathom  Hole,  as  her  anchormg  ground  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Hayes  River  was  called. 

''  Father,"  said  Fergus,,  the  moment  he  could  secure 
the  chief  trader's  attention  :  *'I  wish  ye  had  taken  me 
on  the  big  ship  wi'  ye." 

**  And  what  for  are  ye  sae  anxious  to  gang  on  board 
the  big  ship,  Fergus?"  inquired  Mr.  MacTavish. 

**I  want  to  get  awa  up  to  the  top  there,"  answered 
Fergus,  pointing  to  where  the  pennant  fluttered  ga\l\  in 
the  breeze. 

*'  Then  I'm  verra  weel  pleased  I  did  na  take  ye  wi  mc," 
said  Mr.  Mac  lavish.  **  Ye  might  break  yer  neck  tryin' 
sich  tricks." 

"  Nae  fear  o'  that,  father,"  responded  Fergus,  with  a 
confident  smile.  ''I'll  take  gude  care  not  to  break  my 
neck,  or  ony thing  else." 

Now  Mr.  MacTavish  did  not  like  the  idea  of  his  boy 
climbing  to  the  peak  of  one  of  those  lofty  masts  ;  and  he 
was  just  about  to  lay  his  commands  upon  him  not  to  at- 
tempt it,  when  he  was  called  away  by  Mr.  Frobisher,  who 
wished  to  speak  with  him,  and  the  matter  passed  out  of 
his  mind.  Fergus,  who  now  had  a  shrewd  suspicion  that 
his  father  would  not  sanction  the  enterprise,  took  care 
to  make  no  further  reference  to  the  subject. 

The  little  wharf  at  York  was  crowded  with  clerks. 
rv'iv/^i,v//rj',  laborers,  and  in  fact  the  whole  populace  of  the 
fort  came  down  to  welcome  the  schooner  and  hear  the 
news  from  across  the  ocean.  Those  wiio  were  Itukv 
enough  to  receive  letters  and  packets  from  dear  ones  at 
home  hurried  off  to  devour  their  contents,  while  the  un- 
fortunates who  had  not  been  thus  remembered,  tried  hard 


» 


to  appear 
cxcitemen 
normal!} 

The  scl 
early  in  ti 
and  dress 
getting  al 
and  aboar 
father, 
he  was  so( 
of  Wales. 

He  had 
on  his  ow] 
hinting  of 
going  witl 
got  this  in 
and  with  ; 
himself  up 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


85 


to  appear  unconcerned.  Evening  had  come  before  the 
excitement  subsided  and  the  current  of  life  resumed  its 
normally  quiet  flow. 

The  schooner  was  to  return  to  the  "  Prince  of  Wales  " 
early  in  the  morning ;  and  daybreak  found  Fergus  awake 
and  dressed,  determined  not  to  be  left  behind.  For- 
getting all  aboui  breakfast  he  hurried  down  to  the  wharf 
and  aboard  the  vessel,  without  saying  anything  to  his 
father.  No  one  made  any  objection  to  his  presence,  and 
he  was  soon  slipping  down  the  river  toward  the  **  Prince 
of  Wales." 

He  had  a  novel  feeling  of  exultation  at  thus  being  off 
on  his  own  account,  somewhat  chilled  by  the  occasional 
hinting  of  his  conscience  that  he  was  not  doing  right  in 
going  without  his  father's  knowledge.  But  he  soon  for- 
got this  in  the  delight  of  being  free  to  do  as  he  pleased ; 
and  with  all  a  boy's  recklessness  of  the  future,  he  gave 
himself  up  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  present. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ADVENTURES   BY   SEA   AND   LAND. 

IN  due  time  the  schooner  ranged  alongside  ''  The 
Prince  of  Wales,"  and  the  crew  at  once  began  to 
take  on  board  the  goods.  Fergus'  presence  attracted  no 
attention,  and  being  left  entirely  to  himself,  he  watched 
the  operation  of  putting  the  contents  of  the  shi[)'s  hold 
into  the  schooner's  for  a  while,  and  then,  losing  interest 
in  that,  bethought  himself  of  carrying  into  execution  his 
scheme  of  climbing  the  mainmast. 

Addressing  one  of  the  mates  who  was  superintending 
the  lading  of  the  schooner,  he  asked  : 

*'  Please,  sir,  may  I  go  up  the  mast  ?  " 

Without  stopping  to  look  at  him  the  mate  answered 
offhand  : 

**  I  s'pose  so,  sonny,  so  long  as  you  know  how  to  get 
back  again." 

Quite  confident  that  he  did  know  how,  Fergus  climbed 
from  the  bulwarks  into  the  main  chains  and  started  up 
the  ratlines  at  a  lively  rate.  It  was  all  plain  sailing  so 
far  as  the  main-top,  and  crawling  through  the  lubber's 
hole,  instead  of  getting  over  the  rim  by  the  futtovk- 
shrouds,  he  stood  upon  the  main-truck,  feeling  very 
proud  of  himself. 

'I'he  ascent  to  the  cross-trees  he  found  much  more 
difticult.  The  shrouds  were  thinner,  the  ratlines  farther 
apart,  and  even  his  light  weight  seemed  to  sway  them  in 
86 


1 1 ' 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


87 


a  wav  that  was  not  just  comfortable.  More  than  once  he 
paibc^l  and  debated  whether  he  should  not  turn  back. 
I'.ut  his  i)ride  came  to  the  assistance  of  his  courage,  and 
h-j  T.crsevered  in  spite  of  trembhng  nerves  and  tiriiig 
inus(  Ics,  until  at  length,  with  a  huge  sigh  of  relief  he 
reached  the  cross-trees,  and  sat  down  upon  them  for  a 
gdud  rest. 

(dancing  somewhat  fearfully  downward  he  was  snr- 
jiriscd  to  find  how  far  from  the  deck  he  seemed,  and  he 
(ouKi  not  help  thinking  what  a  dreadful  thing  a  fall  from 
Mich  a  height  would  be.  This  thought  greatly  increased 
his  nervousness,  and  as  he  looked  up  at  the  pennant  still 
soaring  away  above  him  at  the  peak  of  tlie  main  royal 
nia>t,  lie  had  about  made  up  his  mind  to  retrace  his  steps, 
wlien.  happening  to  turn  his  eyes  down  to  the  deck  again, 
lit  saw  that  several  of  the  men  were  watching  him  and 
ajiparcntly  having  a  laugh  together  over  his  having  come 
to  a  full  stop. 

This  touched  him  to  the  quick.  No  doubt  they  were 
making  ready  to  quizz  him  as  soon  as  he  returned  to  the 
(ici  k.  He  determined  that  they  should  have  nothing  to 
laugh  at  him  for,  and  summoning  all  his  strength  of  mind 
and  l)ody,  he  addressed  himself  to  the  shrouds  once 
mure. 

There  were  no  ratlines  to  help  him  now.  Simply  the 
hare  shrouds  up  which  he  must  climb  by  twisting  his  legs 
ahout  them  and  dragging  himself  uj),  hand  over  hand,  as 
he  had  seen  the  sailors  do.  It  was  very  hard  work  even 
for  his  sturdy  muscles.  But  with  most  laudable  deter- 
mination he  persevered,  and  at  last,  by  a  tremendous 
eifoit  that  demanded  his  last  ounce  of  strength,  drew 


88 


FEllGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


himself  across  the  main   royal   yard  and   clung  there 
limp,  breathless,  and  exhausted. 

He  had  all  but  reach'  the  goal  he  had  set  for  himself. 
Not  more  than  fifteen  fect  above  him  the  pennant  flajjped 
and  fluttered  in  the  fresh  morning  breeze.  And  now  for 
the  first  time  he  noticed  that  the  shrouds  went  only  half 
the  distance  up  to  it,  and  that  if  he  should  persist  in  his 
efforts  to  reach  the  tiny  flag,  he  would  have  to  shin  up 
the  varnished  mast.  This,  of  course,  was  out  of  the 
question,  and  feeling  much  relieved  at  having  the  mattr 
thus  settled,  Fergus  tried  to  enjoy  the  triumph  he  had 
achieved. 

The  view  from  his  lofty  eyrie  was  very  fine.  Looking 
landwards  he  cou'd  see  York  Factory  plainly,  and  far 
beyond  it  ii.to  the  country,  then  turning  seawards  the 
whole  expanse  of  Hudson  Bay  lay  before  him,  glistening 
in  the  sunshine,  while  beneath  him  the  ''Prince  of 
Wales"  rocked  gently  at  her  moorings,  the  busy  men 
upon  her  deck  seeming  not  much  bigger  than  Fergus 
himself. 

But  he  soon  got  tired  of  the  view,  and  the  question  of 
getting  down  again  absorbed  his  attention.  To  his  dis- 
may he  found  that  neither  his  nerves  nor  his  muscles  were 
in  fit  condition  for  the  descent.  He  put  his  feet  carefully 
over  the  yard  and  tried  to  catch  them  in  the  shrouds 
below,  but  did  not  seem  able  to  reach  them.  So  he  hastily 
scrambled  back  to  his  former  position. 

Truly  he  had  got  himself  into  an  awkward,  if  not 
perilous  fix.  Nearly  a  hundred  feet  in  the  air,  and  no 
other  way  of  descent  than  by  a  bare  rope  which  he  could 
not  reach.     With  what  heartfelt  sincerity  did  he  blame 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


89 


himself  for  his  folly,  and  wish  that  he  were  safe  upon  the 
deck  a'^ain  !  Forgetting  all  his  pride  he  bent  over  the 
vard  and  called  for  help  at  the  top  of  his  voice.  But 
there  was  a  brisk  breeze  now  blowing,  and  it  made  such 
a  sou'diing  through  the  maze  of  ropes  that  his  cries  were 
toinpletely  drowned,  and  he  shouted  himself  hoarse  in 

vain. 

Then  realising  how  vain  were  all  his  efforts,  he  turned 
to  God  for  help  and  prayed  as  he  had  never  prayed  in 
his  life  before. 

Meanwhile  the  men  on  deck,  who  had  been  giving  him 
a  glance  from  time  to  time,  began  to  wonder  at  his  long 
stay. 

<'Say,  Bill,"  remarked  Tom  Forestay  to  one  of  his 
mates  after  giving  a  squint  skyward,  "what  can  that 
young  'un  be  about  up  there?  He  seems  to  have  become 
mighty  fond  of  the  main  royal  all  of  a  sudden." 

"Right  you  are,  Tom,"  said  Bill,  shifting  his  quid  so 
a.s  to  improve  his  utterance.  **Hark  'ee,  I've  a  notion 
what's  amiss  with  him.  He's  got  up  so  high  he's  afeard 
to  come  down.  I've  known  landlubbers  get  into  that 
fix  afore.     Let's  swarm  up  and  give  him  a  hand." 

"Ay,  ay,  my  hearty,"  responded  Tom.  And  with  all 
the  ease  of  expert  mariners  the  two  kind-hearted  fellows 
hurried  up  the  rigging  like  spiders  across  their  webs. 

They  soon  reached  the  cross-trees,  and  there  paused 
for  a  moment,  while  Bill  called  out : 

"Ahoy  there,  my  lad.  What's  up  wi'  ye?  Can't 
ye  get  down  ?  ' ' 

For  some  minutes  a  faintness  had  been  stealing  over 
Fergus,  which  in  time  would  undoubtedly  have  loosened 


I  / 


90 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


his  grip  of  the  yard  and  sent  him  headlong  to  his  death. 
But  the  rough,  cheery  voice  of  Bill  Kelson  revived  him 
and  in  a  very  weak  voice  he  managed  to  answer : 

''No.   I'm  afraid  I'll  fall." 

"Just  hold  on  there  a  bit,  then,"  said  Bill,  "and 
we'll  bring  you  down  safe  enough." 

So  saying,  he  made  his  way  to  Fergus'  side  and,  grasp- 
ing the  boy  in  his  sinewy  hands,  lowered  him  gently 
down  to  where  Tom  could  take  hold  of  him.  Then 
without  much  difficulty  the  rest  of  the  descent  to  the 
deck  was  easily  managed,  Fergus  arriving  there  the  very 
picture  of  limp  humility. 

*' There,  sonny,"  said  Bill,  with  a  half-amused,  hah- 
reproving  expression,  "  we've  got  you  out  of  that  scrape 
right  enough;  but  if  ye'U  take  my  advice,  you  won't  try 
It  again  until  ye've  learned  how  to  get  back." 

Fergus  had  not  a  word  to  say  in  excuse  for  himself. 
He  thanked  his  rescuers  for  their  kindness,  and  the 
schooner  being  just  about  to  return  with  her  first  load  uf 
goods,  he  got  on  board  and  curled  up  in  the  bow  where 
he  would  be  out  of  everybody's  way.  He  dreaded  being 
teased  about  his  exploit  which  had  ended  so  ignominioibly, 
and  all  the  way  back  to  York  Factory  was  debating 
whether  or  not  to  make  a  clean  breast  of  it  to  his  father 
as  soon  as  he  met  him.  Of  course,  he  would  much  prefer 
saying  nothing  at  all  about  it ;  but  then  he  felt  sure  it 
would  reach  his  father's  ears  somehow  before  the  day 
ended,  and  that  his  father  would  take  it  very  ill  not  hear- 
ing about  it  from  him  first.  The  result  of  his  deliberations 
with  himself  was  that  he  came  to  the  decision  to  tell  his 
father  the  whole  truth  without  delay.     No  sooner  had  lie 


t ' 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


91 


made  up  his  mind  to  this  than  a  great  weight  seemed 
lilted  from  him,  and  the  task  of  confession  did  not 
apjicar  so  difficult,  after  all. 

1  he  schooner  beat  her  way  steadily  up  to  the  wharf, 
and  who  should  Fergus  see  standing  on  the  end  awaiting 
her  arrival  but  Mr.  MacTavish,  the  anxious  expression 
on  his  rugged  countenance  giving  way  to  one  of  relief 
when  he  caught  sight  of  his  son  in  the  bow  of  the 
ai)proaching  vessel. 

"Ah,  Fergus,  laddie!  where  have  ye  bin?"  ex- 
claimed the  chief  trader.  **  Fve  been  sore  concerned 
aboot  ye." 

"I've  been  on  board  the  big  ship,  father,"  replied 
Fer^^ais,  looking  very  downcast.  "  And  I've — I've — I — " 
but  he  could  get  no  farther.  The  self-restraint  which 
had  borne  him  up  among  strangers  gave  way  in  the 
])resence  of  his  father,  and  throwing  himself  into  his 
arms,  he  fell  to  weeping  with  all  his  might. 

Mr.  Macl  avish  drew  him  aside  to  where  they  would 
be  alone,  and  sitting  down,  waited  for  the  tears  to  cease. 
Then  he  had  the  whole  story,  not  even  the  boy's  reason 
for  slipping  off  quietly  being  concealed. 

"Verily,  Fergus,  but  the  Lord's  been  gude  to  you, 
and  brought  you  through  great  perils,  though  you  were 
temjjting  him.  Ye  did  great  wrang  in  being  so  set  upon 
your  own  way ;  and  glad  am  I  that  naething  waur  has 
hajipened  tae  ye.  I  freely  gie  ye  pardon  for  deceiving 
me,  but  ye  maun  ask  God's  pardon  for  what  ye've  done, 
and  gie  him  thanks  for  preservin'  yer  life."  And  so  say- 
ing he  laid  his  hand  upon  Fergus'  head  and  patted  it  ten- 
derly, in  token  that  the  sky  was  clear  again  between  them. 


92 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


Fergus'  prayers  were  longer  than  usual  that  night.  His 
escape  from  a  dreadful  death  had  made  a  deep  iuipRs- 
sion  upon  him,  and  again  and  again  he  pledged  himself 
to  be  more  obedient  and  heedful  in  future. 

The  next  few  days  at  York  Factory  were  full  of  work 
and  seeming  confusion.  After  the  goods  had  been  taken 
from  the  *'  Prince  of  Wales"  and  stowed  carefully  awav 
in  the  fort's  big  warehouses,  the  furs  that  had  accumulated 
during  the  year  had  to  be  sent  on  board.  There  were 
nearly  five  hundred  tons  of  precious  pelts  done  up  in 
large  packs,  and  their  total  worth  was  not  less  than  one 
hundred  and  twenty  thousand  pounds  sterling ;  so  that 
if  the  good  ship  were  to  be  overcome  in  her  inevitable 
struggle  with  the  icebergs,  and  to  sink  beneath  the  mer- 
ciless billows  of  the  bay,  there  would  certainly  be  no 
dividend  for  the  shareholders  of  the  Company  that  year. 

At  length,  early  in  September,  this  important  business 
was  all  completed,  the  ''Prince  of  Wales"  was  ready 
for  sea,  and  amid  parting  cheers  from  the  schooner, 
which  had  come  down  to  say  "good-bye,"  the  stately 
vessel  glided  away  not  to  return  again  for  a  whole 
year. 

As  the  schooner  was  making  her  way  back  to  York,  a 
school  of  white  whales  suddenly  appeared,  bobbing  and 
puffing  all  about  her,  and  seeming  to  enjoy  her  compan- 
ionship. Mr.  Frobisher  was  at  once  reminded  of  his 
promise  to  show  Mr.  MacTavish  how  these  valuable 
monsters  were  caught. 

"  If  you  can  put  off  your  going  for  a  couple  of  days," 
said  he  to  the  chief  trader,  '*I  will  keep  my  word  about 
letting  you  see  a  white  whale  hunt." 


1 1 1 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


93 


<'  Vcrra  gude,  sir,"  answered  Mr.  MacTavish.     ^Tve 
no  need  to  hurry.     I  can  easily  bide  a  lew  days  longer." 
So  it  was  arranged  that  if  the  following  day  was  favor- 
able there  should  be  a  white  whale  Imnt. 

The  day  proved  all  that  could  be  desired ;  and  right 
after  breakfast  two  boats  built  for  speed  rather  than 
carrying  capacity,  and  each  manned  by  four  stalwart 
oarsmen,  went  down  with  the  out-going  tide  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  there  to  await  their  piey,  which  would  appear 
with  the  in-coming  tide.  In  one  of  the  boats  was  Mr. 
Frobi>her ;  in  another  were  Mr.  MacTavish  and  Fergus, 
both  of  them  full  of  eagerness  for  the  business  in  hand. 

They  had  to  wait  an  hour  before  the  tide  flowed  in ; 
but  once  it  was  well  under  way  the  whales  began  to  make 
their  appearance.  They  seemed  to  have  little  fear  of  the 
boats,  bobbing  up  serenely  quite  near  them,  and  looking 
both  startling  and  comical  with  their  blunt  bottle-noses 
and  smooth,  fat  bodies;  wlule  they  from  time  to  time 
grunted  in  a  fashion  irresistibly  suggestive  of  pigs. 

A  frequent  way  of  hunting  them  was  with  firearms,  the 
bodies  of  those  that  were  shot  being  afterward  towed 
ashore  as  they  floated  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  But 
in  order  to  make  the  chase  more  exciting  for  his  visitors* 
benefit,  Mr.  Frobisher  had  given  orders  that  harpoons 
should  be  used  instead  of  guns. 

In  the  bow  of  each  boat  was  an  expert  harpooner 
armed  with  a  long  steel  harpoon,  to  which  was  attached 
fifty  fathoms  of  stout  line.  As  soon  as  they  were  in  the 
midst  of  the  whales,  the  harpooner  got  his  weapon  ready 
and  stood  erect,  waiting  for  a  good  chance  to  hurl  it. 
The  man  in  Mr.  MacTavish' s  boat  had  not  to  wait  long. 


94 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


A  few  strong  strokes  from  the  oarsmen  brought  him 
within  striking  distance  of  a  fine  big  fellow.  Bcndiii:: 
his  arm  back  to  its  utmost  reach,  he  suddenly  swung  it 
forward  and  sent  the  heavy  harpoon  hurling  through  ti,c 
air  with  such  accurate  aim,  that  it  sank  nearly  half  its 
length  into  the  whale  just  behind  the  fore  fin. 

*' He's  got  him!  He's  got  him!"  screamed  Tergus, 
delighted  at  the  success  of  the  stroke. 

**  He's  hit  him,  laddie,  nae  doot,"  said  his  father, 
**  but  he's  no  got  him  yet.  The  fish  will  make  a  M;i; 
fight,  if  I  no  mistake." 

The  stricken  monster  soon  showed  that  the  chief  trader 
had  made  no  mistake,  for  after  plunging  and  splashing 
about  madly  for  a  moment,  he  darted  off  seaward  at  a 
tremendous  rate,  taking  the  line  as  fast  as  it  could  be 
paid  out. 

The  harpooner  let  the  line  run  until  about  half  of  it 
had  gone  out,  and  then  took  a  turn  around  the  bow-post 
in  order  to  check  its  speed.  At  once  the  boat  began  to 
move  on  the  track  of  its  prey,  and  the  harpooner,  finding 
that  it  towed  easily  and  steadily,  took  another  turn  on 
the  rope,  so  that  the  line  ran  out  no  more.  Then  away 
went  the  boat,  cutting  through  the  wattr  far  faster  than 
the  four  oarsmen,  though  they  had  strained  every  nm.-tle 
to  the  utmost,  could  have  made  it  go. 

The  sensation  was  delightful.  P'ergus  clap))ed  hi> 
hands  and  crowed  in  sheer  enjoyment  of  it,  and  Mr. 
Mac'I'avish,  leaning  back  in  the  stem-sheets  in  a  nuj>t 
comi)oscd  and  comfortable  attitude,  was  evidently  no 
less  pleased  than  his  son  with  this  novel  mode  of  ]T0- 
giess. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


95 


But  after  tearing  along  for  a  couple  of  hundred  yards 
in  this  manner,  the  wiiale  began  to  tire.  The  harpoon 
had  found  its  way  into  the  vitals,  and  his  strength  was 
Ust  ebbing,  while  his  blood  crimsoned  the  water  about 
him.  He  came  to  a  full  stop,  rose  to  the  surface,  rolled 
about  in  manifest  agony  for  a  moment,  and  then,  as  a 
last  effort,  dived  into  the  depths. 

''  He's  most  done  for,"  said  the  harpooner.  "  When 
he  comes  up  again,  he'll  stay  up." 

And  so  it  proved.  Ha\ing  remained  hidden  until 
utterly  exhausted  the  poor  creature  appeared  once  more, 
threw  himself  furiously  about  in  a  final  flurry,  splashing 
the  boat  with  bloody  foam,  and  then  rolled  over  an  inert 
mass. 

"  Hurrah  !  "  shouted  Fergus.  ''  We've  got  him  now, 
haven't  we,  father  ?  " 

"Ay,  laddie,  there's  nae  doot  about  it  noo,"  said  Mr. 
Ma(  'lavish.    "  My  sakes  !  but  how  big  the  creetur  is  !  " 

It  certainly  was  a  very  fine  specimen  of  its  kind,  full 
twiiity-five  feet  long  and  at  least  ten  feet  in  circumfcr- 
cnc  e  at  its  broadest  part,  a  prize  well  worth  the  taking. 

Mr.  Frobisher's  boat  had  been  etpially  fortunate,  bav- 
in:; set  ured  a  fish  little  inferior  in  size  to  the  other.  The 
uliales  were  then  secured  by  two  lines  and  thus  brought 
lip  to  York  Factory,  where  they  were  flenched,  tlieir 
ltluhl)er  melted  down  into  oil,  and  their  flesh  given  to 
the  (logs  which  highlv  appreciated  it  and  showed  an 
almost  unbmited  capacity  for  it. 

A  couple  of  (lays  later  Mr.  MacTavisli  and  his  brigade 
tuok  their  departure  for  Norway  House.  Their  boats 
Were  heavily  laden  with  stores  and   supi)lies  of  various 


96 


FEEGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


kindSj  being  a  whole  year's  stock,  and  great  care  would 
have  to  be  taken  on  the  homeward  journey ;  for  the  up- 
setting or  sinking  of  a  boat  would  entail  heavy  loss. 

Fergus  felt  quite  sorry  to  turn  ^ms  back  upon  York 
Factory.  He  had  spent  a  very  happy  fortnight  there. 
Everybody  from  Mr.  Frobisher  down  had  treated  him 
kindly,  and  each  day  had  been  full  of  interest.  He  was 
therefore  very  glad  when  the  chief  factor,  in  bidding  him 
**  good-bye,"  chucked  him  under  the  chin,  saying  : 

"  And  so  you've  had  a  good  time  up  here  with  us,  eh, 
my  lad  !  Well,  I'm  glad  to  know  you  enjoyed  yourself. 
You  must  pay  us  another  visit  before  long." 

"Oh!  may  1,  father?"  exclaimed  Fergus,  eagerly. 
**  I'd  like  to,  verra,  verra  much." 

''We'll  see,  Fergus,  we'll  see,"  was  Mr.  McTavish's 
cautious  reply.  "Sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the  evil 
thereof,  ye  ken." 

And  so  Fergus  had  to  be  content  with  that  very  in- 
definite understanding;  for  he  knew  there  was  nothing  to 
be  gained  by  coaxing. 

On  the  morning  of  a  lovely,  bright,  clear  day  in  Sej)- 
tember,  the  Norway  House  Brigade  began  its  rciurii 
journey,  the  voyagci/rs  rolling  out  their  favorite  songs  at 
the  top  of  their  voices  as  they  sent  the  boats  speeding 
through  the  opposing  current  of  the  Hayes.  Arriving  or 
departing  seemed  much  the  same  to  them.  They  wire 
always  in  a  state  of  jolly  good-humor.  Even  when  some 
days  later,  having  left  the  Hayes  for  the  Steel  River  with 
its  swifter  current,  the  oars  became  useless  and  they  had 
to  resort  to  tracking,  there  was  not  a  sign  of  sulks  or 
grumbling.     The  river  banks  were  steep  and  conijiosed 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


97 


of  clay  that  made  the  footing  very  uncertain.  Along 
tlicsc  the  voyageurs  had  to  crawl,  dragging  the  heavy 
boats  by  means  of  track  lines,  sometimes  close  to  the 
water's  edge  and  sometimes  high  up  the  bank.  It  was 
vltv  laborious,  harassing  work,  but  they  did  it  amid  a 
runninL^  Tire  of  song  and  joke  as  if  they  thoroughly 
enjoyed  it. 

The  journey  home  was  very  much  the  same  as  the  trip 
iij),  cxcejit,  of  course,  that  until  they  reached  the  Portage 
Haiit  de  Terre  they  were  going  up  hill  instead  of  down  ; 
aiul  alter  they  passed  that  portage,  it  was  down  hill  for 
the  rest  of  the  way. 

1  Vr^us  had  one  adventure  on  the  way  that  created  con- 
siderable excitement.  During  the  full  portages  when 
both  goods  and  boats  had  to  be  laboriously  transportc  d 
over  laiKl,  there  was  nothing  for  him  to  do;  and  he 
generally  sjjcnt  his  time  roaming  about  the  country  in 
( jnse  proximity  to  the  river,  shooting  at  birds  or  scjuirrels, 
v\  any  other  small  game  that  he  might  chance  across.  In 
t!  i>  way  he  often  brought  back  to  camp  very  welcome 


additions  to  the  table. 


W'lien  the  ])rigade  was  pushing  its  arduous  way  \\\)  the 
diffu  lilt  Hill  River,  Fergus  had  plenty  of  leisure  time; and 
ene  morning,  instead  of  keeping  as  close  as  usual  to  the 
bank,  he  set  off  across  the  country,  ^herebtinga  bend  in 
the  river  around  which  the  men  would  iia\  ?  to  ])olc  the 
boals  ineh  by  inch,  taking  hours  to  do  it,  while  the  walk 
overland  was  a  matter  of  half  an  hour  even  for  a  boy. 

"Tak  gude  (-are  o'  yersel,  laddie,"  his  fatlu  r  called 
after  hiiu.  -'Dinna  ye  try  to  shoot  on)  thin  bigi;cr  than 
a  Mjiiirrel.     Ye  might  get  yersel  into  trouble,  and   if  yc 

G 


98 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


do  that,  just  keep  firing  off  your  gun  until  I  come  tae 
ye." 

*' Aye,  I  will,  father,"  answered  Fergus.  *'  But  I'll  no 
do  onything  rash." 

The  morning  was  fine,  his  road  was  clear,  he  had  full 
three  hours  at  his  disposal,  and  plenty  of  ammunition : 
so  feeling  very  big  and  independent,  Fergus  left  the  toil- 
ing Brigade  for  his  tramp  across  the  bend.  His  f-uhcr 
watched  him  until  the  bushes  hid  him  from  sight,  anl 
then  gave  his  attention  to  directing  the  efforts  of  his 
men. 

With  eyes  alert  for  game,  and  finger  on  trigger,  Fergus 
made  his  way  as  quietly  as  possible  through  the  brush. 
It  was  not  dense,  and  he  had  no  difficulty  in  keeping  his 
bearings.  Anyway,  if  he  should  happen  to  lose  himsilf 
for  a  moment  he  had  only  to  look  for  the  sun  and  walk 
straight  toward  it,  as  the  Hill  River  lay  due  east  from 
him. 

Game  did  not  seem  at  all  plentiful  that  morning;  a 
solitary  squirrel  was  all  he  had  brought  down,  and  he 
was  beginning  to  feel  rather  disgusted,  when  he  caught 
sight  of  a  small  black  animal  about  the  size  of  a  three- 
months'  puppy,  and  not  unlike  it  in  appearance. 

"Hah!"  he  exclaimed.  "That's  something  worth 
shooting,  whatever  it  is,"  and  he  at  once  set  off  in  pursuit. 

The  creature  scuttled  off  toward  tlie  river  at  a  rate  that 
made  Fergus  put  his  best  foot  foremost  to  keep  it  in 
siglit.  But  after  running  al)out  fifty  yards  it  seemed  to 
get  tir-xl,  for  it  stoi)i)ed  short,  curled  itself  up  into  a  furry 
ball,  and  started  a  most  jiiteous  squ'^aling.  Fergus  mw 
recogni/,cd  the  object  of  his  chase.     It  was  a  bear  (.ub. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


99 


about  a  month  old,  and  a  very  fir-  little  fellow.  He  at 
once  made  up  his  mind  that  he  would  capture  him,  if 
possible,  but  how  to  do  it  single  handed  would  be  no 
easy  problem  to  solve. 

The  bear  had  retreated  into  a  kind  of  nook  in  the 
rocks,  and  by  standing  at  the  entrance  Fergus  could 
c:i>ily  enough  prevent  him  from  getting  out;  but  if  he  at- 
tempted to  go  near  the  little  fellow,  he  snarled  and 
squealed,  and  showed  such  unmistakable  signs  of  fighting, 
that  Fergus  deemed  it  wise  not  to  try  close  quarters  in  a 
hurry. 

Yet  the  more  he  looked  at  the  comical  little  brute,  the 
stronger  grew  his  desire  to  possess  him.  Fe  knew  that 
bears  could  be  tamed  if  caught  young  enough,  and  here 
was  such  a  chance  as  he  might  not  get  for  many  a  day. 
The  possibility  of  baby  Bruin's  mother  coming  to  the 
re>cue  of  her  imperiled  darling,  and  making  pemmican 
of  its  would-be  captor,  never  entered  his  head.  He  was 
too  busy  trying  to  hit  upon  some  way  of  effecting  his 
object  to  think  of  anything  else. 

Threats  evidently  having  no  influence  over  the  furry 
cub,  Fergus  essayed  blandishments. 

"  Poor  little  thing  !  "  he  murmured  in  his  most  win- 
nini(  tone,  **I  winna  hurt  ye.  Come,  noo,  dinna  be 
fcarin'  me." 

Tliis  change  of  front  did  seem  to  have  some  effect  upon 
I'niin,  for  he  ceased  his  snarling,  and  became  so  still  that 
IVrt^us  was  just  about  to  grab  him  by  the  neck,  wben 
like  a  Hash,  the  }tlu(ky  liltle  inn,)  burietl  his  keen,  white 
t'  eth  in  tlic  outstretched  fingers. 

"  Ow  !  uw  !  owl  "  yelled  Fergus,  thrusting  his  hand 


100 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


into  his  mouth  and  dancing  about  wildly,  his  gun  falling 
to  the  ground  with  such  a  shock  as  to  snap  the  trigger 
and  send  a  charge  of  shot  into  the  bank  just  beside  the 
bear   cub,  scaring  that  unfortunate  little  animal  worse 
than  ever. 

It  was  some  moments  before  Fergus  recovered  his 
equanimity,  and  when  he  did,  his  mind  was  made  up  not 
to  attempt  the  capture  of  the  cub  without  assistance.  He 
then  bethought  himself  of  his  father's  parting  injunction, 
viz.,  to  fire  off  his  gun  as  a  signal  of  distress.  Accord- 
ingly he  loaded  and  fired  five  times  as  rapidly  as  he 
could,  and  sat  down  to  wait  for  assistance. 

As  it  happened,  the  river  was  not  m.ore  than  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  distant,  and  the  reports  were  distinctly  heard. 

**One,  two,  three,  four,  five  T^  exclaimed  the  chief 
trader,  in  a  tone  of  concern.  "The  laddie's  in  trouble. 
Hand  me  my  gun  there,  Baptiste,  and  follow  me  with  yer 
ain.     Quick !  " 

Then  grasping  his  trusty  rifle,  Mr.  MacTavish  dashed 
off  in  the  direction  whence  the  shots  had  come,  at  ajtace 
that  made  it  no  easy  task  for  big  Baptiste  to  keep  him  in 
sight.  Leaping  over  the  boulders,  and  crashing  through 
the  bushes,  every  few  steps  roaring  out :  "  Where  are  ye, 
Fergus?"  the  stalwart  Scotchman,  guided  by  his  son's 
shrill  ''Here,  father,"  soon  reached  the  spot  where  tl.e 
boy  and  the  bear  cub  were  watching  one  another  with 
very  different  feelings. 

Not  a  moment  too  soon  were  Fergus'  resources  tlius  in- 
creased, for  just  as  his  fatlier  burst  through  the  tliicket  to 
his  right  with  a  breatldess  "  What's  wrang  wi  ye, 
laddie?  "  a  huge  she-bear,  in  the  highest  state  of  fury, 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


101 


appeared  at  the  left,  growling  out  condign  vengeance 
upon  the  disturbers  of  her  domestic  peace. 

''  Rin  tae  me,  Fergus,  rin  !  "  cried  the  chief  trader, 
kveling  his  gun.  Fergus  sprang  forward  and  threw  him- 
self at  his  feet.  At  the  same  moment  the  rifle  cracked, 
and  a  horrible  roar  told  that  the  bullet  had  not  missed. 

But  Mr.  MacTavish's  rapid  run  had  shaken  him  up  so, 
that  for  once  his  aim  failed  him,  and  with  only  a  broken 
shoulder  the  maddened  bear  rushed  on  to  the  attack, 
open-mouthed. 

She  had  covered  half  the  distance  between  them  while 
he  was  vainly  endeavoring  to  reload,  and  he  was  about  to 
use  his  gun  as  a  club,  when  another  shot  rang  out  behind 
him,  and,  mortally  wounded  this  time,  the  bear  rolled 
over  in  an  expiring  agony. 

'*  Well  done,  Baptiste  I  "  exclaimed  Mr.  MacTavish, 
turning  round  to  grasp  the  burly  voyagcur  by  the  hand. 
'<  'Twas  a  shot  in  time,  and  no  mistake." 


CHAPTER  VII. 


|i 


NEW  ARRIVALS  AT   NORWAY  HOUSE. 

FROM  Baptiste  Mr.  MacTavish  turned  to  Fergus,  and 
lifting  him  up,  gave  him  a  hug  worthy  of  the  old 
bear  herself. 

"Are  ye  all  richt,  laddie?"  he  inquired,  with  fond 
anxiety. 

**  Aye,  that  I  am,  father,"  replied  Fergus.  "  Save  for 
this,"  holding  up  his  bitten  finger. 

"  And  hoo  did  ye  get  that,  Fergus  ?  " 

"From  that  little  rascal,"  answered  Fergus,  pointing 
to  the  cub  which  had  now  emerged  from  its  corner,  and 
was  crawling  toward  its  dead  mother. 

Mr.  MacTavish  had  not  noticed  the  cub  before. 

"  Oh,  ho  !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Is  that  what  gat  ye  into 
trouble?  Ye  were  trying  to  catch  the  cub,  eh,  laddie?" 

"  Yes,  father,  and  I'd  like  to  catch  him  now,  if  ye'U 
help  me,"  responded  Fergus. 

"  Well,"  said  Mr.  MacTavish,  "  he's  a  bonnie  bit  of 
fur ;  and  it  wad  be  a  pity  to  leave  him  to  die — poor 
mitherless  thing.     We'll  take  him  with  us." 

The  cub  by  this  time  had  made  its  way  to  its  mother, 
and  was  climbing  about  her,  and  evidently  much 
puzzled  to  understand  why  she  took  no  notice  of  him. 
On  Mr.  MacTavish  approaching,  it  began  at  once  to 
snarl  and  whimper,  and  show  fight.  But  the  chief  trader 
was  not  to  be  put  off  by  any  such  nonsense  as  that.  He 
102 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVLSH. 


103 


flung  his  big  cap  right  on  top  of  the  cub's  head,  and 
then  instantly  gathered  up  the  plump,  furry  little  creature 
in  his  arms,  where,  before  it  could  do  any  harm  with 
claws  or  teeth,  he  and  Baptiste  had  it  securely  bound  up 
in  their  handkerchiefs. 

'*  Hurrah  !  "  cried  Fergus,  when  the  captive  was  made 
fast  beyond  any  chance  to  escap-^  "  Now  he'll  have  to 
come  home  with  us." 

There  was  a  good  deal  of  amusement  among  the  men 
v.hcn  the  three  returned  with  their  prize,  and  the  cook 
suggested  that  the  cub  would  make  a  very  nice,  tender 
dinner;  but  Fergus  waxed  highly  indignant  at  the  idea. 
He  was  going  to  take  Bruin  back  to  th  fort,  and  bring 
him  up  in  the  way  he  should  go.  So  Louis  did  not  press 
the  })oint. 

If  Fergus  had  not  been  very  much  in  earnest  about 
having  a  tame  bear  for  a  pet,  the  trouble  that  cub  gave 
him  on  the  way  home  might  have  caused  him  to  fling  it 
ashore  in  disgust,  with  the  injunction  to  go  off  about  its 
own  business. 

It  rould  not,  of  course,  be  kept  bound  up  in  the  hand- 
kerchiefs; so  making  a  collar  of  one  of  them,  he  secured 
it  by  a  piece  of  strong  cord  to  the  stern  thwart,  allow^ing 
the  rai)tive  a  certain  amount  of  liberty.  Of  this  liberty 
the  little  rascal  made  the  most,  doing  his  best  to  get 
under  people's  feet,  biting  at  everything  wiihin  his 
rcach,  and  occasionally  winding  himself  up  so  tightly  in 
the  cord  as  to  be  in  imminent  dani      of  strangling. 

Very  much  to  his  credit,  however,  Fergus  succeeded  in 
keeping  both  his  patience  and  his  cub,  and  in  due  time, 
after  a  prosperous  journey,  during  the  course  of  which 


104 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


not  a  mishap  of  any  consequence  occurred,  the  Brigade 
swept  up  in  fine  style  to  Norway  House,  the  voyageurs 
making  the  welkin  ring  with  their  joyous  songs,  and 
drawing  all  the  inmates  of  the  fort  down  to  the  landing 
to  welcome  them. 

Very  warm  and  tender  were  the  greetings  Mrs.  Ma(  - 
Tavish  had  for  her  husband  and  son.  She  kissed  them 
both,  again  and  again,  her  eyes  brimming  with  tears  of 
joy.  It  had  been  very  lonely  for  her  at  Norway  House  dur- 
ing the  long  weeks  of  their  absence.  This  first  separation 
from  her  boy  proved  hard  to  bear ;  and  naturally  enough 
she  could  not  keep  entirely  free  from  worry,  lest  some 
accident  might  befall  him.  Many  a  time  had  she  prayed 
that  God  would  give  his  angels  charge  over  Fergus,  to 
keep  him  in  all  his  ways.  And  now  that  he  had  come 
back  to  her  safe  and  sound,  the  very  picture  of  hcaltli 
and  happiness,  she  checked  herself  in  the  midst  of  her 
joy  to  lift  up  her  heart  in  glad  gratitude  to  God,  who  hid 
thus  answered  her  prayers. 

When  the  first  excitement  was  over,  Mrs.  MacTavish, 
pointing  to  a  lady  and  gentleman  standing  at  some  Httle 
distance  up  the  bank,  and  surveying  the  scene  with  ex- 
pressions of  sympathetic  interest,  exclaimed  : 

"  Oh  !  Dugald,  dearie,  but  I'm  forgetting  my  manners 
in  my  gladness  to  see  you.  Come  and  speak  to  Mr. 
Olden.     He's  been  waiting  for  ye  to  come  hame." 

Visitors  are  always  welcome  at  the  Hudson's  Bay  posts, 
Their  coming  is  like  that  of  angels,  at  very  infrequent 
intervals,  and  when  they  do  appear,  the  entire  establish 
ment  is  at  their  command,  so  delighted  is  everybody  to 
see  them. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


105 


Without  therefore  waiting  for  any  introduction,  the 
chief  trader  at  once  went  toward  the  twostrangers,his  hand 
extended  in  cordial  greeting.  One  of  his  swift,  keen 
Lnances  was  sufficient  to  tell  him  that  they  were  some- 
thin'f  quite  diflerent  from  the  ordinary  run  of  visitors. 

The  gentleman  was  of  medium  height  and  athletic 
build,  with  a  countenance  in  which  the  lines  of  strength 
and  kindliness  happily  blended.  He  seemed  about 
thirty  years  of  age,  and  was  dressed  in  a  manner  that 
would  of  itself  have  attracted  attention  in  that  far-away 
rcnon;  for  he  wore  the  black  broadcloth  and  white  linen 
of  the  city,  instead  of  the  coarse  homespun  and  thick 
flannel  of  the  wilderness. 

By  his  side  stood  a  lady,  his  wife  no  doubt,  who  with- 
out being  actually  beautiful,  possessed  a  face  of  wonderful 
attractiveness.  The  brightest  of  spirits  beamed  through 
her  blue  eyes,  and  the  sunniest  of  smiles  played  about 
her  well-formed  mouth,  while  her  golden  hair  curled 
back  from  her  broad,  white  forehead  in  a  decidedly 
coquettish  manner.  Yet  underneath  all  this  winsome- 
ness  there  were  tokens  not  to  be  mistaken  of  those 
traits  of  character  whicL  belonged  to  the  martyrs  of 
old. 

'*Iam  verra  glad  to  see  ye,"  said  Mr.  MacTavish, 
giving  them  a  cordial  hand-shake  in  turn.  **Hae  ye 
been  long  here  ?  '  * 

*'0h,  no,"  replied  the  gentleman  in  a  rich,  pleasant 
voice.  ^'Wegot  here  only  yesterday;  and  your  good 
wife  has  taken  the  best  of  care  of  us,"  turning  with  a 
courteous  smile  toward  Mrs.  MacTavish. 

*'Weel,  come  awa  to  the  fort,"  said  the  chief  trader, 


106 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


"and  we'll  have  a  talk  together,"  for  naturally  he  was 
curious  to  learn  all  about  these  interesting  visitors. 

Their  story  was  soon  told,  and  when  Mr.  MacTavish 
heard  it,  he  was  highly  pleased  at  having  such  congenial, 
and  welcome  additions  to  the  very  limited  society  of 
Norway  House ;  but  at  the  same  time,  he  was  shrewdlv 
sceptical  as  to  the  success  of  the  enterprise  they  had  in 
hand,  for  Mr.  Olden  and  his  wife  had  given  up  a  prus- 
perous,  comfortable  pastorate  in  one  of  the  mo.-.t  attract- 
ive cities  of  Canada,  with  all  the  opportunities  and 
privileges  of  such  a  position,  in  obedience  to  the  call  from 
the  missionary  society  of  their  church,  to  go  into  the 
wilderness  and  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor,  benighted 
Indians. 

The  chief  tr-^der's  heart  kindled  with  admiration  for 
such  heroic  courage  and  self-denial.  To  leave  all  the 
honors  and  enjoyments  of  a  successful  pastor's  work  in 
the  midst  of  a  wealthy  and  cultivated  community,  for  the 
sake  of  bringing  the  news  of  salvation  to  the  wretched, 
wandering  red  men,  entailing,  as  the  work  would,  every 
possible  hardship  and  privation,  and  no  small  proportion 
of  peril — this  was  a  kind  of  Christianity  Mr.  MacTavish 
had  not  met  before,  and  it  was  with  a  glowing  face  and 
misty  eyes  that  he  grasped  Mr.  Olden 's  hand  in  his 
brawny  fist,  saying : 

*'  God  knows,  Mr.  Olden,  ye've  come  none  too  soon ; 
for  that  there's  ony  puir  creatures  in  the  warld  who  need 
the  gospel  more  than  these  Indians,  I  greatly  doubt.  I'ut 
ye' 11  please  excuse  me  if  I  feel  bound  to  say  that  ye  must 
make  up  yer  mind  to  work  verra  hard  for  verra  small  re- 
turns. They're  a  miserable  people,  Mr.  Olden,  a  miserable 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


107 


people,  and  they'll  tax  yer  patience  sorely.  But," 
brightening  up  as  he  thought  how  pleasant  it  would  be 
lor  himself  and  his  wife  to  have  such  neighbors  as  the 
missionary  and  his  wife,  "  I  canna  tell  ye  how  glad  I  am 
vc've  come.  The  best  the  fort  can  offer  you  is  at  your 
com.iiand.  Ye  are  mair  than  welcome  to  bide  here  so  long 
as  ye  see  fit." 

It  was  now  the  turn  of  Mr.  Olden's  face  to  glow,  and 
of  his  eyes  to  grow  misty.  He  had  been  assured  in 
advance  that  a  warm  and  ready  welcome  would  be 
given  him  at  Norway  House,  but  he  was  not  prepared  to 
find  in  the  chief  trader  and  his  wife  people  of  such  mani- 
fest worth  and  winning  demeanor,  nor  to  have  the  entire 
resources  of  the  establishment  placed  at  his  disi)osal. 
Such  good  fortune  exceeded  his  utmost  hopes,  and  there 
was  an  intense  sincerity  in  his  tone  as  he  thanked  Mr. 
MacTavish  for  his  kind  words. 

*'Iknow  the  task  is  a  hard  one,  Mr.  MacTavish,"  he 
continued,  ''  but  I  thought  that  all  out  before  I  decided 
to  come.  Our  churches  have  for  many  years  been  send- 
ing the  gospel  to  Asia,  and  Africa,  and  the  South  Sea 
Islands,  while  the  heathen  were  perishing  in  darkness 
within  the  borders  of  our  own  country.  It  was  full  time 
we  had  care  for  our  own  savages  no  less  than  for  those 
in  more  distant  parts  of  the  world.  My  wife  and  I  have 
not  allowed  ourselves  to  expect  too  much.  We  will  do 
our  best,  God  helping  us." 

While  they  were  talking  Fergus  came  into  the  room. 
He  had  been  too  busy  looking  after  the  bear  cub  to  pay 
any  attention  to  the  strangers ;  but  having  at  length  got 
the  little  animal  safely  disposed  of  in  a  big  box,  with 


108 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


plenty  of  dry  grass  to  make  him  comfortable,  he  felt  free 
to  attend  to  other  matters. 

''This  is  our  son,  Mr.  Olden,"  said  Mr.  MacTcuih, 
as  Fergus,  looking  rather  shyly  at  the  strange  lady,  made 
his  way  to  his  mother's  side.  ''Our  only  bairn,  and 
he's  verra  precious.  P'ergus,  these  are  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Olden.  They  have  come  as  missionaries  to  the  poor  In- 
dians, and  they  are  going  to  stay  with  us  for  the  present." 

Fergus  promptly  stepped  over  and  shook  hands  with 
the  new-comers. 

Mrs.  Olden  retained  his  hand,  and  drawing;  him 
toward  her,  surveyed  him  from  head  to  foot  with  the 
sympathetic  yet  critical  glance  of  a  mother. 

"I  envy  you  your  son,  Mrs.  MacTavish,"  said  she. 
"  and  greatly  wish  I  too  had  a  big  sturdy  boy.  but,  by 
the  way,  where  is  my  daughter  Ruth  ?  I  have  not  seen 
her  for  an  hour." 

Inquiry  was  at  once  made  for  the  missing  damsel,  and 
presently  she  ai)peared,  having  been  taken  off  by  one  of 
the  young  clerks  to  see  the  Fort. 

"This  is  our  only  bairn,"  said  Mrs.  Olden,  "and  she 
too  is  very  precious,"  adopting  Mr.  MacTavish's  words 
as  she  introduced  her  daughter,  a  very  pretty  girl,  about 
ten  years  old,  who  "favored  her  mother"  in  so  many 
ways  as  to  seem  like  a  copy  in  miniature  of  her. 

Mr.  MacTavish  at  once  reached  over,  and  catching  up 
Ruth  in  his  arms,  gave  her  a  hearty  kiss. 

"Bless  her  dear  little  heart!"  he  exclaimed  ;  "but 
she's  a  bonnie  wee  thing.     Here,  Fergus,  come  here." 

When  Fergus  obeyed,  he  took  the  children's  right  hands 
and  clasped  them  together. 


i  I 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


100 


''Noo,  Fergus,"  said  he,  quite  seriously.  *'Here  is  a 
little  playmate  for  you,  and  ye  maun  be  verra,  verra 
(mde  tae  her,  and  tak  the  best  o'  care  o'  her  so  that  no 
tvil  befalls  her,  nor  harm  comes  nigh  her,  while  she's  in 
ycr  company." 

Fergus  blushed  a  bit  at  this  idea  of  being  made  re- 
sponsible for  the  care  of  a  Hvely  httle  sprite  Hke  Ruth, 
and  Mrs.  Olden  came  to  the  rescue  by  saying : 

'*  Oh  !  they'll  be  very  good  Triends,  I'm  sure,  and  I'm 
([uite  coiifident  ihat  Fergus  will  not  let  Ruth  get  into 
am  mischief  or  danger  that  he  can  help,  will  you, 
Icrgus?  vSuppose  now,  you  take  Ruth  out,  and  show 
her  your  dogs.     She's  so  fond  of  dogs." 

Fergus  jumjjed  at  the  suggestion,  and  he  and  Ruth 
went  gayly  off  together,  leaving  their  i)arcnts  to  continue 
tluir  conversation. 

Of  course,  the  first  visit  was  paid  to  the  bear  cub,  and 
l\"*h  was  so  taken  with  the  cute  little  creature  that  she 
was  eager  to  have  it  up  in  her  arms  and  fondle  it.  But 
Fergus,  having  a  vivid  remembrance  of  Bruin's  white 
teeth,  would  not  allow  her  to  do  that,  and  she  had  to 
content  b.erself  with  admiring  th.e  new  pet  from  a  dis- 
tance. 

Then  Fergus  took  her  off  to  see  his  dogs,  which  had 
rooni\  kimuls  in  a  corner  of  the  enclosure.  He  let 
tlicni  l(.('sc  at  once,  and  they  showed  the  greatest  joy  at 
seeing  liini  again,  nearly  knocking  him  over  in  the  ex- 
uberance of  their  affection.  Ruth  was  rather  frightened 
iU  the  hugo  fellows.  She  had  never  seen  sut  h  inimrnse 
dog^  before,  and  seemed  so  nervous  that  I'ergus  shut  them 
upa^aiii,  telling  her  that  she  would  soon  get  used  lo  them. 


110 


FEBGUS  MAG  TAVISH, 


As  they  passed  through  the  Fort,  Ruth  caught  sight  of 
the  lookout. 

"  Oh,  Fergus  !  What  is  that?  Won't  you  take  me  up 
there?  "  was  her  instant  request. 

"  Why,  yes,  come  along,"  answered  Fergus;  and  thev 
at  once  began  the  steep  ascent. 

Ruth's  little  legs  soon  tired,  and  had  to  have  a  good 
many  rests  before  the  top  was  reached ;  but  thanks  to 
Fergus'  help  she  did  get  there  at  last,  just  in  time  to  se-j 
her  mother  coming  out  of  the  chief  trader's  house  and  t  j 
cry  to  her  exultantly  : 

"  Mother  !   Mother  !    Look  where  I  am !  " 

Mrs.  Olden,  a  little  startled  at  hearing  her  daughter'^ 
voice  coming  apparently  from  the  sky,  looked  al)out  for 
a  moment  in  a  bewildered  way,  and  then  glancing  up  at 
the  **  lookout"  caught  sight  of  Ruth  waving  her  liJt 
from  the  summit. 

"  Goodness  me  !  "  she  exclaimed.  *'  Ho^vever  did  tiij 
child  get  away  up  there  ?  Is  she  all  safe,  Mrs.  Mat  - 
Tavish?" 

''Aye,  she's  safe  enough,  Mrs.  Olden,"  replied  Mr>. 
MacTavish.  ''That's  our  ' lookout,'  and  Fergus  often  goes 
up  there.  Won't  you  come  up  yourself?  You  can  sec  a 
long  way  all  around,  and  it's  very  fine." 

"I  think  I  will,"  said  Mrs.  Olden.  And  so  the  twM 
ladies  made  their  way  up  to  where  the  children  awaited 
them. 

They  remained  for  some  time  enjoying  the  extensive 
view,  and  listening  to  Fergus'  account  of  his  visit  to  the 
"  Prince  of  Wales,"  and  of  his  thrilling  c\|)crifn(e  in 
her  mainmast.     Fergus  was  a  capital  teller  of  a  slor}. 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Ill 


He  had  marked  ability,  if  not  actual  genius  in  that 
direction,  and  when  he  had  good  listeners  he  would  put 
a  i^reat  deal  of  life  and  color  into  his  narration. 

Having  related  his  narrow  escape  from  a  fatal  tum- 
ble to  the  vessel's  deck,  he  went  on  to  describe  the 
catching  of  the  white  whale,  and  what  fun  it  was  being 
towed  by  the  wounded  monster  through  the  water  ^ar 
faster  than  sail  or  oars  could  have  made  the  boat  go. 

"  Your  boy  has  great  gifts  uf  speech,  Mrs.  MacTavish," 
said  Mrs.  Olden,  as  they  came  down  the  long  steps 
to:;cther.  **  He  certainly  ought  to  become  a  preacher 
of  the  gospel." 

Mrs.  MacTavish's  face  lighted  up  at  the  compliment 
to  her  darling  son.  She  had  always  thought  him  no 
ordinary  boy,  and  it  was  very  grateful  to  have  her  judg- 
ment roil  firmed  by  one  so  competent. 

"  I'm  verra  glad  ye  think  so,  Mrs.  Olden,"  said  she. 
"Every  bird  th'  iks  her  ain  nestling  the  finest,  as  they 
say  at  home;  bui  I've  always  thought  Fergus  had  mair 
than  ordinary  gifts.  As  to  his  being  a  preacher  of  the 
irosiiel,  his  fiither  thinks  it  best  he  should  go  into  the 
service  of  the  Company  when  he's  old  enough." 

^b■s.  Olden  said  nothing  more  on  the  sulject  then 
liiit  Fergus  had  already  made  a  deep  imj)ressi()n  upon 
li'  r.  which  was  strengthened  by  increased  ac(|uaintancc. 
His  frank,  j)leasing,  if  not  j)recisely  handsome  counte- 
nanre.  his  eager,  active  mind,  his  strong  will,  and  his 
sturdy  frame,  were  all  after  her  own  heart.  It  was  a 
,L:rcat  (lisai)i)ointment  to  her  that  she  had  no  boy  of  her 
own.  Precious  as  was  little  Ruth,  she  couUl  never  take 
the  jart  that  it  was  Mrs.  Ohlen's  earnest  desire  to  see  a 


112 


FERGUS  MAC   TAVISH. 


child  of  hers  filling.  Having  given  up  all  the  comforts 
of  civilization  for  the  sake  of  carrying  the  gospel  to  the 
wilderness,  Mrs.  Olden's  zeal  for  the  siKcess  of  the  work 
was  so  fervent  that,  had  Fergus  been  her  son,  he  would 
already  have  been  dedicated  to  the  holy  undertakin-:. 
that  perchance  he  might  be  able  to  take  up  his  father's 
labors  when  the  time  came  for  him  to  lay  them  down. 
Her  prayer  concerning  Fergus  henceforth  was  that  tlic 
Lord  might  see  fit  to  lay  his  hand  upon  him,  as  he  did 
upon  Samuel. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days  the  Oldens  M'ere  comforta- 
bly established  at  Norway  House.  The  chief  trader's 
house  was  large  and  well  furnished,  and  two  ])leaFant 
rooms  were  placed  at  their  disposal,  in  which  thev 
bestowed  their  belongings,  and  felt  wonderfidly  at 
home. 

If  Mr.  MacTavish  could  have  had  his  own  way  thev 
would  have  been  his  guests  until  spring ;  but  Mr.  OKleii 
would  not  consent  to  that.  He  insisted  upon  jtayirga 
proper  board,  althougli  his  salary  was  but  a  limited  one. 
and  after  a  good  deal  of  amiable  discussion  a  satisfactory 
basis  was  at  last  arrived  at,  whereby  the  ladies  shared  the 
housework,  and  Mr.  Olden  was  allowed  to  pay  something 
in  the  way  of  board. 

Mr.  MacTavish,  after  this  arrangement  was  concluded, 
had  a  sly  laugh  to  himself. 

"  If  the  missionary  thinks  I'm  going  to  put  his  money 
in  my  ain  pocket,  he's  verra  mistaken.  I'll  just  put  it  by 
safely,  and  when  the  time  C(unes  I'll  gie  it  back  tae  him 
in  away  he'll  never  know;"  which  admirable  resoluti^)!! 
Mr.  MacTavish  faithfully  kept  by  donating  every  dollar 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


113 


of  it  to\vard  the  little  church  that   in  due  time    Mr. 
Ulden  \va.s  able  to  build  not  far  from  the  Fort. 

The  coming  of  the  Oldens  was  a  subject  of  great  inter- 
est at  Norway  House,  and  many  were  the  misunderstand- 
iiii^s  concerning  them;  for  the  idea  of  missionary  work 
there  was  so  entire  a  novelty  that  it  took  the  people  some 
ti:iK'  to  realize  its  meaning.  If  Mr.  Olden  had  come  as 
a  >ort  of  chaplain  to  the  Fort,  that  would  be  easy  enough 
to  understand.  But  that  instead  of  the  officials  and 
:'i>\\!^^('iirs,  he  should  have  in  his  mind  the  miserable, 
(lei;raded  red-skins,  who  were  only  tolerated  because  of 
their  utility  as  trappers  of  valuable  skins,  and  purchasers 
ot'the  Company's  goods,  this  was  a  notion  that  men  like 
Mr.  Barnston,  for  instance,  found  it  hard  to  get  into  their 
h  ails,  and  they  were  strongly  tempted  to  think  that  Mr. 
OlJen  must  have  some  other  object  in  view,  although  he 
would  not  admit  it. 

The  young  clerks — the  occupants  of  "bachelor's  hall," 
as  their  quarters  were  called — were  inclined  to  regard 
Mr.  Olden's  advent  unfavorably.  They  had  matters 
])rctty  much  their  own  way,  so  long  as  the  work  was 
jiroperly  done,  and  were  what  might  be  termed  rather  a 
"  larky  lot,"  upon  the  whole.  So  that  it  was  only  natural 
they  should  not  welcome  the  appearance  of  a  "black- 
coated  parson  "  in  their  midst,  who  woidd  no  doubt  feel 
in  duty  bound  to  try  and  convert  them  all. 

Then  the  Indians,  niunbers  of  whom  were  alwavs 
hinging  aroinid  the  Fort,  hearing  that  a  gentleman  had 
(uinc  from  the  far  East,  who  had  something  very  precious 
to  give  them,  and  wlio  would  ask  nothing  in  return,  be- 
sieged the    house    in    crowds,  asking   eagerly   for   the 

H 


w 

r 

114 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


**  black-coat,"  as  they  called  Mr.  Olden,  and  insistir.t^ 
upon  seeing  him. 

Knowing  nothing  of  the  Cree  language  as  yet,  Mr, 
Olden  had  to  speak  to  them  through  an  interpreter,  and 
he  found  it  not  at  all  an  easy  task  to  pacify  them,  (jf 
course,  Mr.  MacTavish  could  have  ordered  them  away  at 
once,  and  wanted  to  do  so,  but  the  missionary  begged 
him  not  to  do  that.  It  would  be  an  inauspicious  begin- 
ning of  his  intercourse  with  them,  and  would  certainly 
hinder  his  winning  their  confidence. 

So  with  infinite  patience  he  sought  to  make  clear  to 
the  ignorant  creatures  the  real  purpose  of  his  coming  to 
them,  and  at  last  succeeded  in  sending  them  away  with- 
out having  aroused  their  easily  excited  enmity. 

"  Noo,  what  dac  ye  think  o'  your  congregation,  Mr. 
Olden  ?  "  asked  Mr.  MacTavish,  with  a  quizzical  smile, 
after  the  missionary  had  been  struggling  with  one  of 
these  troublesome  deputations  for  over  an  hour.  "Are 
ye  willing  to  admit  1  was  no  far  from  right  when  I  saiii 
ye  might  as  well  try  to  make  ropes  out  ot"  the  sand  down 
at  the  river,  as  to  make  Christians  out  of  such  heathens. 
If  the  gospel  were  only  something  to  eat,  Mr.  Olden. 
there's  none  of  them  but  wad  have  it  gladly.  An  In- 
dian's soul  is  in  his  stomach,  believe  me,  sir,  and  ye 
can't  take  him  any  farther  than  that  will  lead  him." 

**  You  have  a  poor  opinion  of  your  brother  in  red,  Mr. 
MacTavish,"  returned  Mr.  Olden,  gently.  "And  no 
doubt  you  are  not  without  reason  for  it.  Hut  have  you 
ever  thought  that  an  Indian  must  have  a  soul  as  well  as  a 
-white  man,  and  that  there  is  the  same  eternity  belure 
both?" 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


115 


Fer.a:ns  was  present  at  this  conversation,  and  listened 
intently,  turning  his  bright  face  toward  each  speaker, 
but  not  attempting  to  interrupt. 

"  I  suppose  the  poor  creatures  have  souls,  Mr.  Olden, 
but  I  canna  think  the  Lord  Almighty  has  put  them  on 
the  same  footing  as  ourselves,"  said  the  chief  trader. 
"They've  been  living  and  dying  here  without  the  gospel 
for  thousands  of  years,  and  even  if  you  do  find  them 
ready  to  listen  tae  ye,  and  to  become  Christians,  it  wuU 
onlv  be  a  mere  handful  after  a'." 

"Yet  Jesus  himself  said  that  one  soul  was  worth  more 
than  the  world,"  responded  Mr.  Olden,  his  strong  face 
li;4hting  up,  as  he  looked  forward  in  hope  to  the  victories 
he  aspired  to  win  for  his  Master. 

"True  enough,  Mr.  Olden,  true  enough,"  admitted 
Mr.  MacTavish.  "  But  dae  ye  really  think  that  in  the 
sight  of  God  the  soul  of  ane  of  them  puir  creatures  is  of 
the  same  im|)ortance  as  the  soul  of  one  o*  our  ainsels,  to 
put  the  question  straightly  ?  " 

A  curious  expression  came  over  the  missionary's  coun- 
tenance at  this  question.  Its  frank  simplicity  tempted 
him  to  smile,  albeit  the  contempt  for  the  Indian  that  it 
implied  aroused  within  him  the  desire  to  protest. 

*'  The  apostle  tells  us  plainly  that  there  is  no  respect  of 
persons  with  God,"  Mr.  Olden  answered,  after  a  mo- 
ment's silence. 

"Aye,  I  ken  that  weel  enough,  Mr.  Olden,"  said  the 
other,  "  but  I  confess  I  canna  just  a[)ply  it  to  the  present 
can'.  However,  I  donna  want  to  discounige  you.  Ycr 
heart  is  full  of  it,  I  see,  and  if  I'm  wrong,  and  ye're  right, 
1  ^hall  be  verra  glad  to  acknowledge  my  error." 


116 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Fergus  had  not  lost  a  word  of  the  discussion.  His 
inquiring  mind  was  a  good  deal  exercised  about  Mr. 
Olden.  He  seemed  so  different  from  any  other  visitor 
that  had  come  to  Norway  House  since  he  could  remem- 
ber. His  dress,  manner,  and  conversation,  all  had 
something  impressive  about  them.  The  boy  was  both 
awed  and  attracted  by  the  man. 

When  he  clearly  understood  Mr.  Olden's  mission,  his 
interest  in  him  greatly  deepened.  A  minister  to  the 
Indians  !  How  odd  it  seemed  when  there  had  never  been 
a  minister  for  the  people  at  the  Fort  !  Fergus'  parents  wer-j 
of  a  religious  turn  of  mind.  They  read  their  Bible  both 
regularly,  and  did  not  neglect  private  prayer ;  but  they 
had  never  felt  impelled  to  enter  into  any  actual  religious 
work.  They  were  negative  rather  than  positive  Chris- 
tians, who  found  it  easier  to  do  right  than  wrong,  and 
who  were  content  to  take  care  of  their  own  consciences, 
and  to  have  other  people  to  do  the  same.  The  thought 
of  making  any  attempt  toward  evangelizing  the  savage> 
round  about  them  had  never  entered  their  heads.  The 
would  as  soon  have  thought  of  trying  to  teach  their  dogs 
to  speak  English. 

Brought  up  in  this  atmosphere,  Fergus  of  course  fell 
naturally  into  the  same  way  of  thinking,  and  when  Mr. 
Olden  came  with  such  different  notions,  claiming  that  an 
Indian's  soul  was  as  precious  in  the  sight  of  God  as  a 
white  man's,  and  announcing  that  he  intended  to  devote 
his  life  to  making  known  unto  them  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
Fergus  felt  bewildered.  If  Mr.  Olden  was  right,  his 
father  was  wrong ;  and  somehow  or  other  his  heart 
seemed  to  be  with  the  missionary,  so  that  he  found  him- 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


117 


self  hoping  he  would  turn  out  to  be  in  the  right.  The 
poor  Indians  did  not  have  much  happiness  in  this  world. 
They  often  died  of  hunger,  of  exposure,  of  disease.  If 
Mr.  Olden  could  teach  them  how  to  get  into  heaven, 
what  a  splendid  thing  it  would  be  !  With  these  and 
other  thoughts  Fergus'  brain  was  busy.  The  answers 
would  come  by-and-by. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE   CHILDREN    IN   THE   WOOD. 


THE  brief  and  beautiful  summei  had  passed,  and 
autumn  was  come  to  Norway  House.  A  big  wood 
fire  was  welcome  in  the  evenings,  and  around  this  the 
two  families  would  gather,  usually  with  Mr.  Barnston, 
and  some  of  the  clerks  as  an  addition  to  the  circle. 

There  was  never  any  lack  of  conversation.  Mr.  Olden 
had  always  kept  himself  abreast  of  the  times,  and  coming 
to  the  far-away  Fort  right  from  the  midst  of  civilization, 
he  was  like  a  living  newspaper  to  the  others.  Tiiey  had 
a  thousand  and  one  questions  to  ask  him,  and  he  was 
read}  with  a  reply. 

As  they  came  to  know  him  better,  all  sense  of  stiffness 
or  restraint  because  of  the  presence  of  a  minister  vanished, 
and  the  very  clerks  who  had  been  most  inclined  to  re- 
gard him  as  an  unwelcome  intruder,  were  glad  of  a 
chance  to  spend  an  hour  in  his  society,  while  Mrs.  Olden 
bade  fair  to  become  the  friend  and  counsellor  of  them 
all. 

Fergus  on  his  part  found  in  Ruth  a  delightful  compan* 
ion.  Slight  and  delicate  as  she  seemed,  she  was  in  reahty 
wiry  and  enduring  to  a  remarkable  degree  for  her  years, 
and  could  run  about  with  him  all  day  long  without  tir- 
ing. They  both  had  their  lessons  to  learn  in  the  morn- 
ing, but  the  afternoons  were  their  own,  and  they  were 
rarely  apart. 
118 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


i^    119 


Mrs.  Olden  soon  came  to  feel  perfect  confidence  in 
IVr'fus,  so  that  she  was  (jiiite  content  for  him  to  be  little 
Ruth's  guardian.  Consequently,  when  one  pleasant 
Saturday  Fergus  wanted  to  take  her  off  on  a  hunt  for  the 
delicious  Indian  pear  berry,  which  grew  iii  quantities  a 
little  way  down  the  river,  she  made  no  objection,  Fergus 
promising  to  be  back  in  good  season  before  dark. 

Thev  started  immediately  after  dinner.  To  save  time 
and  walking  Fergus  took  his  canoe,  but  he  did  not  have 
his  <:un,  as  Mrs.  Olden  would  not  allow  Ruth  to  be  with 
him  then.  She  dreaded  the  happening  of  some  accident. 
A  hunting  knife  was  his  only  weapon,  but  he  hardly 
needed  that  as  there  were  no  bears  or  other  dangerous 
animals  known  to  be  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Fort, 
and  furthermore  two  of  his  big  dogs  were  going  with  him, 
—Hercules,  a  splendid  St.  Bernard,  called  ''  Here,"  for 
short,  and  Oscar,  a  noble  Newfoundland.  They  dici  not 
of  course  come  into  the  canoe.  They  ran  along  the 
river  bank,  keei)ing  up  with  the  light  craft  as  it  skimmed 
swiftly  down  the  current  under  the  impulse  of  Fergus' 
strong  strokes. 

The  boy  was  in  great  good  humor.  It  was  the  first 
time  Mrs.  Olden  had  permitted  him  to  take  Ruth  out  of 
si^^du  of  the  Fort,  and  he  felt  proud  of  the  confidence 
reposed  in  him.  A  finer  autumn  day  could  hardly  be 
imagined,  the  berries  were  sure  to  be  at  their  best,  and 
the  whole  long  golden  afternoon  was  at  his  command,  so 
that  his  cu])  of  happiness  was  about  full.  Only  one  thing 
more  rould  he  have  wished  for — that  he  had  his  gun. 
He  would  have  dearly  liked  to  show  Rrth  what  a  good 
shot  he  was  at  short  range.     But  Ruth's  mother  had  put 


120 


FERGUS   MAC  'J'AVLSII. 


her  foot  down  firmly  against  that,  and  be  had  yielded 
with  a  good  grace. 

The  berries  were  a  mile  or  more  down  the  river,  and 
Ruth  keenly  enjoyed  the  canoe  trip  thither.  She  wanted 
very  much  that  Fergus  should  allow  her  to  help  him 
paddle. 

"Do  let  me  try,"  she  coaxed.  'Tm  sure  I  could 
do  it." 

**I'm  sure  ye'd  upset  the  canoe,  Ruthie,"  answered 
Fergus. 

"Oh!  no,  indeed  I  wouldn't;  I'd  be  J6?  care  fid," 
pleaded  Ruth. 

"Ruthie  dear,"  said  Fergus,  putting  on  his  most 
serious  expression,  "I  promised  yer  mither  I  wad  take 
the  best  of  care  of  you.  Noo,  what  would  I  say  to  her 
if  I  allowed  you  to  upset  the  canoe,  and  perhaps  be 
drowned  ? ' ' 

Ruth  looked  at  the  dark,  deep  water,  with  a  pretty 
little  shudder. 

"  I'm  sure  I  don't  want  to  be  d  :~  vned,"  she  replied, 
half-pouting,  "  but  I  would  like  to  paddle." 

"  Wait  till  next  summer,  Ruthie,  and  I'll  teach  you  tu 
paddle  as  well  as  I  do  myself,"  said  i^'ergus,  who  had  a 
very  good  opinion  of  his  skill  as  a  canoeist. 

"Oh!  "ill  you,  Fergus?"  cried  Ruth,  delightedly. 
"  I'll  be  so  gbd.    Now,  don't  you  forget  your  promise." 

"There's  no  fear  o'  my  forgetting,  Ruthie.  I'll  be 
o'er  glad  to  teach  you  all  I  can."  And  Fergus  beamed 
on  his  bright  little  coaipanion,  for  the  prospect  of  hav- 
ing her  for  a  pupil  was  full  of  attractiveness. 

In  the  meantime  the   canoe  was  slipping   smoothly 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


121 


onward.  Here  and  Oscar  bounding  along  the  bank, 
paibing  every  now  and  then  at  some  projecting  point  to 
bark  out  a  cheery :  *'  Come  along,  you  folks  in  the 
canoe.  Don't  be  so  slow."  Then  they  raced  off  ahead 
a^ain  as  it"  they  were  bound  to  be  at  the  destination  first. 

"Did  you  ever  see  such  splendid  dogs  as  mine, 
Ruthie?"  asked  Fergus,  gazing  proudly  after  his  huge 
pets. 

"  No,  Fergus,  never.  I  think  they're  the  best  dogs  in 
all  the  world,"  was  the  entirely  satisfactory  reply. 

'*I  think  so  too,"  said  Fergus.  "  Wasn't  it  kind  of 
Sir  George  Simpson  to  send  me  such  beauties  ?  I  hope 
I'll  be  able  to  give  him  a  ride  behind  them  in  my  dog- 
skdge  some  time.  But  ah,  Ruthie,  won't  you  love  that  ! — 
to  have  the  big  dogs  for  horses.  Just  wait  until  the  snow 
comes,  and  then  you'll  see  how  they  can  pull.  Why, 
they  could  haul  us  both  all  day,  and  not  get  tired." 

Ruth  clapped  her  hands  at  the  notion  of  being  drawn 
in  a  sledge  by  the  big  dogs. 

"  Oh  !  won't  that  be  lovely !  "  she  exclaimed,  joyously. 
"I  do  so  love  riding  in  a  sleigh.  Father  used  often  to 
take  me  with  him  at  home." 

And  so  the  young  folks  chatted  away  merrily  until 
Fergus  called  out : 

"  Here  we  are.  This  is  the  place,"  and  ran  the  canoe 
ashore. 

They  stepped  out  on  the  soft  sand,  and  were  at  once 
warmly  welcomed  by  the  dogs,  which  were  evidently 
glad  to  have  them  within  touch.  Fergus  drew  the  canoe 
out  of  the  water,  and  they  made  their  way  up  the  bank 
to  where  the  trees  clustered  thickly. 


122 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


"Stay  here  a  minute,  Ruth,"  said  Fergus.  ''I  want 
to  make  sure  that  this  is  the  right  spot.  Here,  Oscar  1 " 
he  called  to  the  Newfoundland,  ''  come,  lie  down,  waich '. 
There,  Ruth,"  as  the  dog  promptly  obeyed,  '*  he'll  lonk 
after  you." 

So  saying,  Fergus  dashed  into  the  wood,  and  was  soon 
out  of  sight.  Ruth  did  not  feel  the  least  nervous  at  his 
going  off.  She  sat  down  beside  the  Newfoundland,  and 
fondled  his  huge  head,  making  a  pretty  picture  with  the 
wilderness  for  a  setting. 

Pr-isently  Fergus  returned,  out  of  breath,  but  tri- 
umphant. 

''I've  found  the  place,"  he  panted,  "and  ah,  my! 
what  lots  of  berries  there  are  !     Come  along,  Ruth." 

Ruth  and  her  guardian  sprang  up  at  once,  and  followed 
him  into  the  woods.  They  had  not  to  go  more  than  a 
hundred  yards  or  so  before  they  reached  the  spot.  It 
was  a  kind  of  small  glade,  at  the  farther  side  of  whi(  h 
grew  a  number  of  trees,  in  appearance  resembling  the 
wild  cherry;  but  instead  of  the  bright  red  astrini^ent 
little  fruit,  so  aptly  named  choke-cherry,  they  bore  a  berry 
as  large  as  a  cranberry,  and  of  a  rich  purple  hue. 

Fergus  broke  off  a  bunch  that  was  richly  loaded,  and 
handed  it  to  Ruth. 

"  Kat  them,"  said  he,  "and  tell  me  if  they're  not 
good." 

Ruth  i)icked  off  several  berries  and  put  tlieni  in  her 
mouth.  She  found  them  so  delicious  that  she  could  not 
take  time  to  answer  Fergus,  but  hastened  to  fill  htf 
mouth  as  full  as  it  couUl  hold.  At  last,  after  having 
disposed  of  several  mouthfuls,  she  managed  to  get  out: 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


123 


'•  What  lovely  berries,  Fergus  !    I  could  eat  them  all 

day." 

The  Indian  pear  is  a  very  fine  berry  for  eating,  and  is 
often  mixed  into  the  pemmican,  making  what  is  called 
"berry-pemmican,"  a  highly  esteemed  dainty  in  those 
R'L^ions.  Fergus  had  brought  some  baskets  in  his  canoe, 
and  when  he  had  taken  the  edge  off  his  own  appetite,  he 
went  back  for  the.>e,  and  then  the  two  set  to  work  to  fdl 
them,  for  the  folks  at  the  Fort  would  be  sure  to  greatly 
tiijov  a  feast  of  Indian  pears. 

Krgus  climbed  up  the  trees,  and  bent  down  the 
branches,  which  were  quickly  despoiled  of  their  pretty 
purple  beads.  One  to  the  mouth,  and  two  to  the  basket, 
was  the  jjickers'  rule,  and  their  store  grew  steadily. 

While  they  were  thus  engaged,  and  too  deeply  absorbed 
to  take  notice  of  anything  else,  the  weather  showed 
si.Mis  of  a  sudden  change  for  the  worse.  The  sun  van- 
isheil  behind  amass  of  cloud  that  rapidly  extended  over 
t!ie  ficc  of  the  sky,  and  the  wind  began  to  rise  and 
rustle  through  the  trees  in  rather  a  threatening  way. 

Ruth  was  the  first  to  observe  these  warnings  of  an  ap- 
proaching storm. 

"It's  going  to  rem,  Fergus,"  said  she,  looking  up 
anxiously  at  the  sky.     **  Shouldn't  we  go  home?  " 

Fergus,  intent  upon  his  work,  gave  a  hurried  glance 
sk\war(l. 

"In  a  minute,"  he  answered,  ''as  soon  as  I  have 
filled  this  basket;"  and  he  was  about  to  resume  picking 
wiieu  Oscar,  who,  having  no  taste  for  berries,  had  been 
aiiiusiuL,'  himself  ranging  about  through  the  woods,  an- 
nounced by  a  series  of  eager  barks  that   he  had  found 


124 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


1' 


game  of  some  sort.  Here  at  once  rushed  off  to  join  him, 
and  Fergus,  forgetting  everything  else  in  the  excitement 
of  the  chase,  caught  hold  of  Ruth's  hand,  crying : 

"  Come  along,  Ruth,  and  let's  see  what  the  dogs  are 
after." 

Ruth,  nothing  loth,  put  her  best  foot  forward,  and 
into  the  forest  they  plunged,  guided  by  the  incessant 
barking  of  the  dogs. 

The  ground  was  not  rough,  and,  helped  along  by 
Fergus,  Ruth  kept  up  a  very  good  rate  of  speed  for  fully 
two  hundred  yards.  But  then  both  breath  and  strength 
forsook  her,  and  quite  exhausted  she  dropped  in  a  hea[), 
saying  with  a  half-sob  : 

"I'm  so  tired.    I  must  stop." 

Reluctant  to  give  up  following  the  dogs,  Fergus  asked 
her: 

**  Dae  ye  mind  if  I  leave  ye  here  a  minute,  and  come 
back  tae  ye  ?  " 

**  Oh,  no,  Fergus,  don't  leave  me,"  she  cried,  her  eyes 
opening  wide  with  terror  at  the  idea  of  being  left  alone 
nov^     *'  I'd  be  so  frightened.     Please  stay  with  me." 

The  dogs  were  barking  furiously  some  distarce  away. 
Whatever  the  animal  was,  they  had  apparently  either  run 
It  to  earth,  or  treed  it,  and  Fergus  burned  to  be  with 
them. 

"  You'll  be  all  safe  here,  Ruth,"  he  replied,  ''  and  I'll 
be  right  back." 

Ruth  caught  his  hand,  and  clung  to  it  tightly,  looking 
up  into  hii  hce  with  a  most  beseeching  expression,  her 
lip  trembling,  and  the  tears  gathering  in  her  eyes  as  she 
pleaded  : 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


125 


''Please  don't  go  away,  Fergus.  Wait  'till  I  get  a 
little  rest,  and  then  I'll  go  with  you." 

Fergus  could  not  refuse  her,  and  muttered : 

"  Verra  weel,  the  creature  will  be  gone  for  sure." 
He  threw  himself  down  beside  her,  not  at  all  in  the  best 
of  humor. 

Poor  Ruth,  seeing  that  he  was  puv  out  with  her,  almost 
immediately  got  up,  saying  that  she  was  rested  and  ready 
to  go  on,  although  in  truth  her  little  legs  felt  very  tottery 
nnder  her.  Fergus  at  once  brightened  up,  and  seizing 
her  hand,  hurried  her  along  to  where  the  dogs  were  still 
barking. 

But  only  disappointment  awaited  them  there.  What- 
ever the  animal  was  that  the  dogs  had  been  chasing,  a 
marten  or  mink  probably,  it  had  made  good  its  escape 
into  a  hole  between  the  roots  of  a  large  tree,  where  there 
was  no  chance  of  following  it. 

Fergus  took  a  stick  and  tried  to  explore  the  hole,  but 
it  had  a  sharp  bend  in  it  '  ot  far  from  the  mouth,  and 
his  efforts  were  fruitless.  There  was  nothing  to  do  but 
to  call  off  the  dogs,  and  return  to  where  the  baskets  were, 
and  thence  to  the  canoe. 

It  was  not  easy  to  get  the  dogs  away.  They  knew 
just  where  their  quarry  had  taken  refi'ge.  They  also  felt 
sure  that  it  was  there  still,  and  they  were  very  much  in 
earnest  about  making  a  rapture.  Fergus  called,  and 
whistled  ;  l)ut  they,  seeming  to  take  it  all  for  cncourage- 
nviit,  only  barked  the  louder,  and  did  their  best  to  dig 
out  the  animal  with  their  paws. 

In  the  meantime  the  sky  had  been  growing  darker  and 
darker.     A  storm  of  wind  and  rain,  such  as  was  not 


126 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


uncommon  in  the  autumn  season,  could  not  be  far  off. 
Fergus  began  to  feel  anxious,  and  at  length,  desjiairinL: 
of  milder  methods  with  his  canine  companions,  took  u|) 
the  stick  which  he  had  been  thrusting  into  the  hole,  and 
applied  it  vigorously  to  their  backs. 

This  had  the  desired  effect.  Here  and  Oscar  realiziiv 
that  their  young  master  did  not  api)rove  of  their  paving 
any  further  attention  to  the  creature  imprisoned  under 
the  roots,  o  di.  itly  subsided,  and  followed  him  as  he 
set  out  on  tl     return  journey. 

Still  holding  Ruth's  hand  Fergus  walked  as  rai)idly  is 
they  could  in  what  he  conceived  to  be  the  right  direction. 
The  sun  was  no  longer  of  any  help  as  a  guide ;  but  this 
did  not  concern  him  at  first,  he  felt  so  confident  of  his 
course. 

After  going  on  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  however, 
and  seeing  no  sign  either  of  the  baskets  or  the  Indian 
pear  trees,  he  began  to  feel  alarmed.  This  was  surely  the 
direction  in  which  they  had  come.  Yet  they  must  have 
gone  a  longer  distance  on  their  return  journey  than  they 
had  in  following  the  dogs,  and  should  therefore  have 
found  their  l)a.skets  ere  this. 

Tliinking  that  perhaps  they  had  f)assed  to  one  side  of 
the  place  where  they  had  been  picking  the  berries. 
Fergus  made  a  little  circuit  through  the  trees,  but  witli- 
out  result.  The  case  was  becoming  serious,  especially  as 
poor  little  Ruth,  wearied  with  her  unwonted  exertions, 
grew  fretful,  and  protested  that  she  could  not  walk  a 
stej)  further. 

Feeling  that  the  fault  was  altogether  his,  Fergus  souu'l^t 
to   make  reparation  by  attempting  to  carry  her.      Hut 


FERGUS  MAC   TAVISH. 


127 


he  soon  found  that  not  much  progress  could  be  made  in 
that  ^vay,  and  had  to  put  her  down  again.  Then  he 
tried  mounting  her  upon  the  St.  Bernard,  to  which  the 
kii^d  brute  made  no  objection. 

But  that  would  not  work  because  he  had  to  hold  her 
on,  and  he  could  not  do  this,  and  guide  the  dog  at  the 
same  time,  consequently,  they  zigzagged  about  in  a  most 
confusing  way. 

All  this  took  precious  time.  The  day  was  drawing  to 
a  close,  yet  they  were  apparently  no  nearer  to  their 
baskets  than  when  they  started.  Fergus  tried  hard  to 
keep  a  brave  countenance,  though  he  was  in  a  state  of 
alarm  bordering  close  upon  panic.  Had  he  been  alone 
he  would  not  have  felt  so  badly ;  for  with  two  big  dogs 
as  protectors  he  would  be  safe  enough,  and  a  night  in  the 
forest  would  do  him  no  harm. 

But  how  would  it  be  with  tender  little  Ruth,  who  now 
tired  out,  had  thrown  herself  down  to  rest  upon  a  moss- 
covered  stone,  and  was  evidently  on  the  verge  of  burst- 
ing' into  tears  ?    Could  she  stand  a  night  in  the  forest? 

As  if  divining  what  was  in  his  mind,  Ruth  looked  up 
anxiously  into  his  fare. 

"I  wont  to  go  home,  Fergus,"  she  moaned.  "  Please 
take  me  home." 

l'Vrij:us  sat  down  beside  her,  and  put  his  arm  about  her, 
whilr  the  big  St.  Bernard,  scenting  trouble  in  the  air, 
laid  his  head  in  her  lap  as  tliough  to  ray: 

*•  What's  the  matter  ?    Can  I  be  of  any  help  ?  " 

"I  want  to  get  home  too,  Rutli,"  said  Fergus  gently, 
"liut  I  seem  to  have  lost  the  way." 

Ruth  turned  upon  him  cpiiekly  with  a  startled  face. 


128 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


f^^ 


"01\!  Fergus,  are  we  really  lost?"  she  screamed' 
and  then  without  waiting  for  an  answer,  threw  her  head 
upon  his  shoulder,  and  burst  into  tears. 

''Don't  be  scared,  Ruth,"  urged  Fergus,  soothinglv. 
**  They'll  be  sure  to  come  after  us  from  the  Fort." 

"But  I'm  so  frightened,"  sobbed  Ruth;  ''and  I'm 
cold  and  I  want  to  go  home." 

By  this  time  Fergus  had  made  up  his  mind  that  it  was 
worse  than  useless  for  him  to  try  and  find  the  way  back 
to  the  baskets.  He  was  probably  at  some  distance  from 
them  in  the  wrong  direction  already,  and  would  only 
get  farther  astray  by  pushing  on.  Moreover,  Ruth  was 
wearied  out,  and  unfit  for  further  exertion.  There 
seemed  no  other  alternative  than  to  remain  where  they 
were  until  assistance  should  arrive,  and  this  he  hoped 
would  not  be  very  long  in  coming.  Their  faihire  to 
return  in  good  time  would  be  sure  to  arouse  anxiety,  and 
their  fathers  would  doubtless  soon  be  setting  out  in  search 
of  them. 

The  presence  of  the  great  dogs  was  an  immense  com- 
fort to  him.  They  were  protectors  fit  to  cope  with  any 
possible  assailant.  If  he  could  only  find  some  sheltered 
spot  in  which  to  hide  from  the  approaching  storm,  he 
would  not  feel  so  troubled  about  Ruth. 

Just  then  he  remembered  having  in  the  course  of  the 
circuit  made  a  few  minutes  before  noticed  a  f)lace  that 
looked  something  like  a  cave.  He  could  easily  find  it 
again.  So,  leaving  both  the  dogs  with  Ruth,  and  e\- 
plaining  to  her  what  he  was  about,  he  hunted  around  for 
the  cave.  He  soon  lighted  upon  it,  and  it  j)roved  to  be 
a  cavity  under  a  projecting  ledge  of  rock.     He  (piickly 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


129 


brought  Ruth  there.  It  was  precisely  what  they  needed 
—a  drv,  clean  nook,  where  they  would  be  snugly  shel- 
tered frcm  both  wind  and  rain. 

"My!  is'na  this  grand?"  exclaimed  Fergus,  cheer- 
fuilv.  "Just  sit  ye  doon  there,  Ruthie.  I'm  going  to 
trv  if  I  canna  make  a  fire  to  warm  ye." 

So  saying  he  proceeded  to  explore  the  contents  of  b's 
sockets.  Out  came  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  strings, 
nails,  caps  for  his  gun,  bullets,  and  so  forth ;  and  sure 
cnoiiLdi  among  them  were  half  a  dozen  matches,  then 
(juitc  a  novelty  at  Norway  House,  having  but  recently 
taken  the  place  of  flint  and  steel  and  tinder. 

"Ah  !  ah  1  "  he  cried,  triumphantly  ;  '*  I  thought  I 
had  some  matches.  Noo  then  for  a  real  fine  bonnie 
blaze." 

There  was  no  lack  of  dry  wood  lying  near,  and,  work- 
ing' diligently,  he  soon  had  a  goodly  pile  gathered  in  the 
cave  where  the  rain  could  not  get  at  it.  Then  came  the 
raretul  building  of  the  tire.  In  this  he  was  thorough!) 
expert.  He  had  been  making  camp-fires  for  hi^j  own 
amusement  ever  since  he  was  no  older  than  Ruth. 

The  first  match  would  not  light.  Thi'  second  flickered 
hoj^efully  fcr  an  instant,  and  went  out.  But  the  third 
fi/zled  up  finely,  the  dry  twigs  ignited,  the  little  flames 
(Tept  about  the  larger  branches,  and  soon  with  a  most 
(heering  crackle  the  whole  pile  was  ablaze. 

Ruth  ])rightened  up  at  once. 

"Oh!  Fergus,  isn't  that  nice!"  she  cried,  clapping 
lier  hands  in  delight  at  the  ruddy  blaze. 

"  Aye,  Ruth,  it's  verra  gude.  Ye  won't  feel  so  fright- 
ened noo,  will  ye?  " 

J 


130 


FEllGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


u 


'*  No,  Fergus ;  but  I  hope  father  will  come  poon  to 
take  me  home.     I  don't  want  to  stay  here  all  night." 

*'  Dinna  ye  fear,  PwUth.  He'll  come  for  sure.  He's 
started  before  this." 

'*  Oh  !  Fergus,  has  he?  And  will  he  be  here  before  it 
gets  very  dark  ?  " 

**I'm  not  quite  so  sure  about  that,  Ruth;  but  nevtr 
mind,  the  fire  will  keep  us  warm,  and  it  will  show  them 
where  we  are." 

By  this  time  the  dusk  had  deepened  into  night, 
and  with  the  darkness  came  the  rain,  falling  in  heavy 
drops  that  would  soon  have  drenched  them  to  the  skin, 
had  they  been  exposed  to  the  storm.  But  their  place  of 
refuge  did  its  duty  perfectly;  for  the  wind  was  at  its 
back,  and  consequently  they  were  doubly  protected. 
Moreover,  the  smoke  from  the  fire  was  blown  away  from 
them,  so  that  they  could  enjoy  its  warmth  and  chur 
without  any  discomfort.  In  fact,  had  Fergus'  compai.- 
ion  been  a  sturdy  boy  like  himself,  one  of  his  Indian 
playmates,  for  instance,  he  would  have  rather  enjoyed 
staying  out  all  night  in  spite  of  the  storm. 

The  dogs  had  found  a  corner  for  themselves,  an^l 
after  blinking  at  the  fire  for  a  few  moments  in  luxurious 
ease,  had  gone  to  sleep.  Their  big  warm  bodies  stretched 
at  full  length  gave  Fergus  an  idea. 

"  Are  ye  sleepy,  Ruthie  ?  "  he  asked.  *'  Wad  ye  like 
to  go  to  sleep  ?  ' ' 

"  I'm  very,  very  tired,  Fergus,"  vas  the  reply.  **  Biil 
how  can  I  go  to  sleep  here  ?  ' ' 

"I'll  show  ye,"  said  Fergus.  *' Just  put  yer  head 
down  here,  and  it  '11  be  as  warm  and  soft  as  any  pillow." 


soon  to 
jht." 
-.    He's 


before 


It 


mt  newr 
ow  them 

3  night, 
n  huavv 
the  skin, 
place  of 
as  at  its 
rotected, 
\ay  from 
id  chuT 
compan- 
s  Indian 
enjoyed 

ves,  ami 
luxurious 
stretched 


d  ye  like 


''  But 


'er  head 
pillow." 


==^Tien(ftiP 


Fergus  MacTavish. 


Rutli  d 
upon  the 
n.ip,  raise 
with  him. 
satisfied, 

Rutli  c 
(log's  exa 
dcnly  she 

''Oh! 

''Soyc 

Ruth  g 
clasped  hi 


Page  131. 


adding  sc 
Fergus,  at 
good  girl, 

Xever  I: 
lovely  a  p 
fairy -I  ike 
iq)  her  he 
Voung  as 
him,  and 
ki>sed   Ru 
been  an  a 

*'  Clod  1 
I'oiinie  he 
biJc  awak 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


131 


Ruth  did  as  she  was  bidden,  and  laid  her  golden  curls 
upon  the  St.  Bernard's  thick  fur.  Here,  disturbed  in  his 
n.ip,  raised  his  head  to  see  who  was  thus  taking  liberties 
with  him.  But  one  glance  was  sufficient,  and  thoroughly 
satisfied,  he  went  off  to  sleep  again. 

Ruth  closed  her  eyes,  and   was  about  to  follow  the 
(log's  example,  for  she  was  exceedingly  tired,  when  sud- 
denly she  opened  them  again,  and  sat  up. 
"Oh!  Fergus,"  she  said,  "  I  forgot  to  say  my  prayers. " 
''So  you  did,  Ruthie.     Just  say  them  noo." 
Ruth  got  upon  her  knees,  and,  with  closed  eyes  and 
clasped  hands,  repeated  slowly  the  beautiful  prayer : 

"  Now  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep, 
I  pray  thee,  Lord,  my  soul  to  keep. 
If  I  should  die  before  I  wake, 
I  pray  thee,  Lord,  my  soul  to  take, 
And  this  I  ask  for  Jesus'  sake," 

adding  softly :  '*  God  bless  father  and  mother,  and 
Fergus,  and  all  my  dear  friends ;  and  help  me  to  be  a 
good  girl,  and  bring  me  safe  home  again.     Amen." 

Never  before  had  that  northern  wilderness  witnessed  so 
lovely  a  picture  as  the  flashing  firelight  disclosed — this 
fairy-like  girl  kneeling  beside  the  huge  dog,  and  lifting 
up  her  heart  in  perfect  faith  to  her  Father  in  heaven. 
Young  as  Fergus  was,  its  strange  beaut  7  deeply  impressed 
him.  and  yielding  to  a  sudden  impulse,  he  bent  over  and 
kissed  Ruth's  forehead  as  reverently  as  though  she  had 
been  an  anu:el. 

"God  bless  you,  Ruthie,"  he  murmured.  '*  Put  your 
bonnie  head  doon  on  Here,  noo,  and  go  to  sleep.  I'll 
bide  awake,  and  take  good  care  of  you." 


CHAPTER  IX. 


WINTER   AT   NORWAY    HOUSE. 


FERGUS'  brain  was  very  busy  as  he  sat  in  the  cave 
listening  to  the  steady  dripping  of  the  rain,  from 
which  he  had  found  such  timely  protection,  adding  a 
stick  of  wood  every  now  and  then  to  the  fire,  and  taking 
many  a  glance  at  Ruth,  sleeping  so  sweetly  with  Here 
for  a  pillow,  as  though  she  was  in  her  own  cot. 

It  must  be  about  nine  o'clock,  he  thought,  and  a 
search  party  had  set  out  after  them,  no  doubt,  several 
hours  previous.  They  would  of  course  find  the  canoe 
drawn  up  on  the  bank,  and  take  their  bearings  from  it. 
Some  of  the  Esquimaux  dogs  had  wonderful  powers  of 
scent,  and  perhaps  would  be  able  to  follow  their  track  in 
spi'^e  of  the  rain.  If  he  had  only  brought  his  gun,  he 
could  have  fired  it  off  in  order  to  attract  the  attention  of 
the  searchers,  and  he  registered  a  resolution  never  to  go 
into  the  forest  witliout  it  again. 

An  hour  or  more  passed  in  this  way,  and  he  was  be- 
ginning to  feel  very  sleepy  himself.  He  nodded  off 
several  times,  and  awoke  with  a  start  to  find  the  fire 
burning  low.  His  little  wood-pile,  moreover,  was  fast 
disappearing.  Another  hour  would  exhaust  it,  no  mat- 
ter how  carefiilly  it  might  be  husbanded.  This  gave  him 
serious  concern  ;  for  everything  outside  the  cave  was 
thoroughly  soaked  by  this  time.  He  felt  very  much 
i;J2 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


133 


depressed,  and,  for  the  second  time  in  his  life,  the  thought 
of  appealing  to  God  for  immediate  help  came  to  him. 

He  had  always  ''  said  his  prayers  "  night  and  morning, 
regularly ;  but  it  had  been  more  as  a  good  habit  taught 
him  by  his  mother  than  as  an  actual  approach  to  the 
Almighty  with  a  sense  of  need  and  dependence.  Now 
the  case  was  very  different.  No  mere  repetition  of 
familiar  phrases  would  do.  His  heart  was  stirred  to  its 
depths. 

Moving  back  into  the  farthest  corner  of  the  little 
cave,  he  knelt  down,  and  prayed  as  he  had  never  prayed 
before,  save,  perhaps,  when  at  the  mast-head  he  asked 
for  help.  No  lack  of  faith  tied  his  tongue.  Like  a  flood 
of  light  and  warmth  came  the  conviction  of  his  marvel- 
ous privilege,  and  with  all  the  confidence  of  a  child 
addressing  its  earthly  parents,  he  poured  out  his  petitions 
to  his  Father  in  heaven. 

"Before  they  call,  I  will  answer;  and  while  they  are 
yet  speaking,  I  will  hear,"  is  the  gracious  declaration. 
And  Fergus  found  it  to  be  so,  for  while  he  was  still  upon 
his  knees  two  rifle  shots  rang  out  in  quick  succession,  not 
far  away. 

With  a  beating  heart  he  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  rushing 
to  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  shouted  with  all  his  might. 
His  sudden  movement  startled  the  dogs,  and  they  jumped 
up,  and  added  their  deep  barks  to  his  shouts. 

Startled  out  of  her  sleep,  Ruth  was  at  first  very 
frightened,  and  disposed  to  cry ;  but  Fergus  caught 
her  hand,  crying  joyfully  : 

''They're  coming  !  I  hear  them  1  "  Just  as  he  spoke 
the  two  reports  were  repeated ;  and  again  he  shouted,  and 


134 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


the  dogs  barked  in  response.  Then  ^  ethinking  himself 
of  the  fire,  he  hurriedly  threw  on  it  the  remainder  of  the 
wood,  and  the  flames  rose  up  brightly,  sending  line.,  of 
light  out  into  the  surrounding  shadow. 

At  the  same  moment  the  two  reports  rang  out  again, 
this  time  less  than  a  hundred  yards  away,  and  were 
followed  by  a  call  that  reached  the  excited  boy's  sharp 
ears. 

*'  Hello  !  Fergus,  where  are  you  ?  " 

*'  Here,  father  !  "  Fergus  shouted  back,  stirring  up  the 
fire  so  that  it  might  be  seen  as  far  as  possible. 

Mr.  MacTavish  did  not  hear  his  boy's  ans,.cr,  but  he 
(lid  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  darting  firelight,  and  with  a 
fervent,  "  God  be  praised  !  There  they  are,"  he  dashed 
recklessly  toward  it,  Mr.  Olden  following  only  a  kw 
steps  behind  him,  with  half  a  dozen  Indii?ns  and  ten- 
agc'urs  bringing  up  the  rear,  two  fine  Esquimaux  dogs 
bounding  and  barking  beside  them,  as  if  they  would  say: 

**  There  are  the  lost  ones.  We  tracked  them  for  you. 
Are  we  not  clever  animals  ?  " 

It  took  the  e;rger  men  but  a  few  seconds  to  reach  the 
cave,  at  whose  entrance  stood  Ruth  and  Fergus  hand  in 
h;uid,  peering  exjiectantly  into  the  drij)ping  darkness. 

"  My  ain  Fergus  1  "  <<  My  darling  Ruth  !  "  exchiiined 
the  two  fathers  in  the  same  breath,  as  each  clasj)cd  his 
own  child  in  a  fervent  embrace. 

Then  came  the  questions  (piick  and  fast,  while  the 
Indians  and  vovdgcitrs  gathered  around  to  listen,  and  the 
two  big  dogs  went  about  from  one  to  the  other,  j)utting 
their  cold  noses  into  the  men's  hands  by  way  of  express- 
i.  g  their  gladness  at  seeing  them. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


135 


Fer^ms  explained  how  he  came  to  lose  himself,  with 
Iceliiv'S  in  which  a  certain  sense  of  pride  at  being  the 
(cntral  fii;ure  in  so  exciting  an  episode,  was  tempered 
bv  some  humiliation  thai  h^,  shovild  lose  himself  at  all, 
seein""  liow  much  practice  he  had  in  woodcraft. 

•' Weel,  Fergus,"  said  his  father,  patting  him  fondly 
on  the  shoulder,  '*  it  was  not  a  verra  wise  thing  o'  you  to 
rin  after  the  dogs  as  ye  did,  for  of  course,  it  was  that  led 
vl'  :btray  ;  but  1  maun  say  that  under  the  circumstances 
ve  made  the  best  of  a  bad  business,  and  took  gude  care 
01  Httle  Ruth.     Dinna  ye  think  so,  Mr.  Olden?  " 

"I  do  indeed,"  responded  Mr.  Olden,  heartily.  *'  I 
think  Fergus  did  as  well  as  either  of  us  could  have  done 
in  the  same  emergeU'Cy.  At  the  same  time,  perhaps  it 
would  be  as  well  not  to  run  any  risk  of  the  same  thing 
happening  again,  eh,  Mr.  MacTavish?  " 

"Aye  aye,  Mr.  Olden,"  answered  the  chief  trader. 
"  Xo  more  of  this  wandering  about  the  woods  for  the 
present.  Had  I  thocht  ye  were  going  sae  far,  Fergus,  I 
would  never  have  allowed  ye  to  set  out," 

Fergus  hung  liis  head,  and  looked  confused  at  this  ;  for, 
as  a  matter  of  fact,  he  had  not  made  very  clear  just  what 
he  had  in  view,  but  had  left  the  impression  on  the  minds 
hdth  of  his  own  parents  and  Rutli's,  that  he  was  going 
only  a  sliort  way  from  the  Fort,  whereas  they  were  now 
fully  two  miles  distant. 

The  storm  showed  signs  of  abating,  and  while  waiting 
for  the  rain  to  stop,  Mr.  MacTavish  told  Fergus  how  they 
hat.  K)oked  for  his  return  with  Ruth  in  good  time  before 
sundown,  and  how,  wlien  he  did  not  appt  ar,  and  the 
storm  came  on  they  grew  very  anxious,  and  finally  made 


136 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


up  a  party  of  the  best  guides  at  the  Fort,  and  taking  two 
of  the  Esquimaux  dogs  as  trackers,  set  out  in  search  of  the 
missing  young  people. 

As  Fergus  expected,  the  canoe  drawn  up  on  the  livr 
bank  gave  them  the  first  chie.  For  the  rest  they  had  ij 
rely  upon  the  keen  scent  of  their  dogs,  and  they  were  not 
disappointed.  Tlie  sagacious  animals  worked  out  t!,e 
tniil  slowly  but  surely,  the  heavy  rain  making  it  niiuh 
more  difficult  to  trace.  Fergus'  first  shouts  had  not  hcen 
heard,  but  the  deep  baying  of  the  big  dogs  had  reached 
their  earj,  and  they  knew  that  they  were  on  the  ri-ht 
track.  Then  they  pushed  joyfully  ahead  until  their  e\es 
caught  the  gleam  of  the  fire,  and  the  beloved  objects  of 
their  search  were  found. 

It  was  after  midnignt  before  they  all  got  back  to  Nor- 
way House ;  but  Mrs.  MacTavish  and  Mrs.  Olden,  it 
need  hardly  be  said,  were  on  the  lookout  for  them,  and 
had  a  fine  hot  supper  ready  that  was  fully  a[)i)reciated, 
and  in  whicii  every  member  of  the  search  party  was 
invited  to  share. 

Like  sensible  women,  they  had  not  worked  thenisehes 
into  a  fever  of  anxiety,  but  had  waited  in  hope  and  faith, 
sending  up  frequent  prayers  for  the  safety  of  tlieir  darUng 
children. 

A  right  merry  j)arty  was  that  which  gatliered  in  the 
chief  trader's  spacious  dining  room,  Mr.  Harnston,  and 
the  young  men  from  *M)achelor's  liall,"  having  dinein 
to  h^^ar  all  the  details.  Fergus  luid  to  t ,11  the  story  of 
getting  lost  over  again,  and  Ruth  i)iit  in  a  word  octa- 
sionally,  to  make  sun*  that  she  had  due  prominenec 
in  the  story. 


FKRGTTS   MAC    TaVISH. 


137 


The  "wee  sma'  hours"  came  before  the  excitement 
subsided,  but  at  last  the  visitors  went  away,  leaving  the 
chief  trader's  household  to  themselves. 

"  Let  us  join  together  in  giving  thanks  to  God  for  his 
loving-kindness  and  tender  mercies,"  said  Mr.  Olden. 

They  all  knelt  down,  and  many  a  hearty  ''Amen" 
came  from  Mr.  MacTavish,  as  the  missionary  poured 
forth  his  thanksgiving,  while  Fergus  listened  more  in- 
tcntlv  than  he  had  ever  done  before,  although  Mr.  Olden 
had  established  the  custom  of  family  prayer  immediately 
alter  his  coming  to  the  Fort. 

The  fact  was,  Fergus'  eyes  had  been  ojiened  by  his 
experience  in  the  cave.  He  had  gotten  a  new  conception 
oi  prayer,  and  would  never  think  of  it  in  the  same  way 
again  ;  for  to  the  depths  of  his  lieart  he  believed  that  the 
')iiini[)otent  Ruler  of  the  Universe  had  condescended  to 
hearken  to,  and  answer  his  cry  for  help.  The  thought 
almost  appalled  him,  and  yet  gave  him  a  fearful  joy.  He 
wondered  if  he  could  ever  get  on  such  a  sure  footing  with 
(lod  as  Mr.  Olden  seemed  to  have  reached.  Mr.  Olden 
l)ra\ed  in  so  confident,  so  firm  a  tone,  like  one  that  had 
implicit  faith  in  the  readiness  of  Clod  to  answer. 

This  was  tlie  beginning  of  some  very  deep  thinking  on 
Fergus'  part.  Boy  as  he  was,  he  had  a  mind  in  some 
respects  lar  beyond  his  years.  When  a  subject  interested 
him  he  did  not  soon  tire  of  it,  but  loved  to  turn  it  over 
and  over,  looking  at  it  from  this  side  and  from  that, 
a>king  (piestions  of  any  one  likely  to  give  him  a  helpful 
answer,  referring  to  his  books,  if  they  had  anything  to 
thc|)oint,  and  so  keeping  at  it  until  there  seemed  nothing 
more  to  be  learned  concerning  it. 


138 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


How  this  deep  thinking  bore  fruit  will  appear  in  due 
time. 

The  autumn  quickly  blipped  away^  and  winter  came  to 
Norway  House.  For  the  long,  cold,  dreary  months  that 
must  be  endured  before  the  return  of  welcome  summer. 
ample  preparation  had  been  made.  The  storehouses  were 
full  of  dried  meat,  pemmican,  flour,  tea,  sugar,  and 
otlier  necessaries  of  life.  Huge  stacks  of  white-fish  had 
been  accumulated  for  the  benefit  of  the  Indians  and 
the  dogs.  Vast  piles  of  firewood  were  ranged  along  in- 
side the  stockade.  All  the  dwelling  houses  were  banked 
high  with  sods,  and  the  doors  and  windows  doubled. 
Since  Jack  Frost  was  bound  to  come  in  all  his  rigor,  the 
garrison  of  the  Fort  would  do  their  be.it  to  give  him  a 
warm  reception,  and  defy  him  to  his  face. 

Fergus  did  not  regret  the  advent  of  winter.  The  cold 
could  not  frighten  him;  and  the  coming  of  the  snow 
meant  all  the  fun  that  was  to  be  had  out  of  sleduiiu'-  witi 
his  splendid  doi^s,  snow-shoeing  over  the  white  billowed 
plains,  or  tobogganing  down  the  steep  slopes  of  the  rivtt 
bank.  He  was  eager  to  give  Ruth  a  ride  behind  his  St. 
Bernards,  and  to  have  trials  of  speed  with  Mr.  Barn- 
ston's  famous  Ks(iuimaux.  If  the  winter  only  proved  to 
be  a  tolerably  fine  one,  and  free  from  heavy  storms,  all 
the  prospects  were  that  it  would  be  the  pleasantest  of  his 
life. 

By  the  middle  of  November  the  snow  covered  all  the 
land,  the  lakes  and  rivers  had  put  on  their  armor  of  ice. 
and  nature  lay  silent  and  breathless  in  the  grasp  of  the 
frost  king.  There  is  nothing  uncertain  or  changeful 
about  the  winter  seiison  in  those  sub-Arctic  regions  where 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


139 


Xorwav  Hou.se  stands.  Once  the  cold  has  come,  it  is 
simply  a  question  from  day  to  day  of  how  little  or  how 
nuuh  the  thermometer  may  be  below  zero.  Thirty  de- 
grees below  were  not  uncommon.  P'orty  have  been  re- 
corded, while  twenty,  fifteen,  ten,  five,  are  taken  as  a 
mere  matter  o(  course. 

Under  these  circumstances  furs  are  necessarily  indis- 
pensable for  clothing,  and  everybody  who  has  to  move 
about  mueh  in  the  open  air,  must  be  covered  with  them 
from  he;ul  to  foot.  Fergus  had  a  fine  set,  of  which  he 
was  \ery  i)roud.  The  coat  and  trousers  were  of  the 
ciioietst  beaver  unplucked,  the  vest  of  satiny  ermine,  and 
tlie  cap  of  rich  brown  mink,  with  the  tip  of  a  silver  fox's 
tail  for  a  plume.  On  his  feet  he  wore  moccasins  of  thick 
iiiDOse  hide  \vith  the  hair  still  on,  over  three  pairs  of 
woolen  stockings,  while  his  hands  were  protected  by 
mittens  of  marten  skin  with  the  soft  fur  on  the  inside. 

Thus  accoutred,  Jack  Frost  had  no  terrors  for  him.  He 
miL(ht  indeed,  and  often  did,  take  a  saucy  nip  at  the  end 
of  his  nose,  and  turn  it  into  white  marble.  But  a  handful 
of  snow  breathed  upon,  and  applied  to  the  frozen 
member,  soon  made  it  all  right. 

Ruth  was  equally  well  fitted  out.  Shortly  after  their 
arrival,  Mrs.  Olden  had  begun  to  prei)are  for  the  winter, 
and  with  Mrs.  Mac  Tavish's  deft  assistance  had  suits 
f)r  herself  and  daughter  ready  in  good  time.  Ruth 
looked  exceetlingly  well  in  hers.  Her  coat  was  of  otter 
trimmed  with  black  bear,  her  cap  of  silver  fox,  and  her 
skirt  of  mink.  She  might  have  been  a  Russian  Princess 
as.  thus  attired,  she  stood  before  Fergus  ready  for  any 
kind  of  a  romp  in  the  snowdrifts. 


140 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


"Eh!  Ruthie,  but  you're  a  bonnie  la?;?,''  he  a- 
claimed  ;  for  the  charm  of  her  merry  blue  eyes,  clear  pink 
and  white  cheeks,  and  rosebud  mouth,  were  not  lost  upon 
him. 

"And  you're  a  bonnie  boy,  Fergus,"  retorted  Ruth, 
dancing  around  him  in  high  delight  at  his  frank  praise. 

"  Dae  ye  really  think  so,  Ruthie  ?  "  asked  Fergus,  who 
was  not  accustomed  to  receive  many  such  compliments. 

"  Of  course  I  do,  Fergus,"  responded  Ruth,  promptlv. 
"I  think  you're  the  bonniest  and  best  boy  I've  ewr 
known." 

"  Gude  for  you,  Ruthie.  It  makes  me  proud  to  hearve 
say  so.  Come  along  now,  and  let's  pay  Spitfire  a  visit. 
He  maun  be  lonely." 

Spitfire  was  the  name  Ruth  had  given  to  the  bear  cub 
because  he  was  such  a  cross  little  creature  at  first.  Latterly, 
however,  he  had  become  muc  h  more  tractable,  and  Fer- 
gus was  beginning  to  give  him  some  lessons  in  good 
behavior  with  ])erceptible  results.  He  had  been  given  a 
big  box  in  a  corner  of  one  of  the  store-houses,  and  was 
allowed  an  old  blanket  wherewith  to  keep  himself  war;n. 

The  cub  seemed  quite  glad  to  see  them,  and  rising  up 
on  his  hind-legs  made  as  though  he  wanted  to  shake 
hands  with  his  young  master. 

"  Dae  ye  see  that,  Ruth?  "  exclaimed  Fergus,  proudly. 
"  Noo,  isn't  he  a  cunning  creature?  " 

"He  is  indeed,  Fergus,"  said  Ruth.  "But  isn't  it  a 
sh?me  to  keep  him  shut  up  in  this  old  box?  I  think  hcM 
just  love  lo  get  out  and  run  about  in  the  lovely  white 
snow.  Do  let  him  for  a  little  while — won't  you, 
Fergus  ?  ' ' 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


141 


Fergus  was  just  in  the  humor  for  some  excitement,  and 
although  he  more  than  half  expected  that  to  let  the  little 
bear  out  v.ould  create  a  sensation  in  the  Fort,  he  at  once 
jumped  into  the  box  and,  gathering  Spitfire  up  in  his 
arms,  carried  him  out  in  the  open  yard  and  set  him  down 
in  the  snow. 

The  cub  had  been  so  long  in  confinement  that  for  a  few 
minutes  he  did  nothing  but  stare  about  him  in  a  stupid, 
bcwilde'cd  way.  The  bright  sunshine  made  him  blink, 
and  '     ibund  the  snow  very  cold  to  his  paws. 

"Here,  Spitfire!  "  called  Fergus.  ''Follow  me.  I'll 
soon  make  ye  warm." 

Si)itrire  turned  in  the  direction  of  the  voice,  and,  rec- 
ognizing Fergus,  moved  after  him  in  a  slow,  hesitating 
fashion. 

"Tut — you  sluggard!"  cried  the  boy.  "Ye're  as 
lazy  as  an  Indian.     Hurry  up,  I  say." 

The  cub  presently  did  hurry  up,  but  not  because  of 
Fergus'  ''I  say."  A  couple  of  Mr.  Barnston's  dogs  were 
lying  at  the  door  of  his  house,  and  when  Spitfire  came 
into  view  they  darted  at  him  as  though  they  would  eat 
him  up,  filling  the  air  with  their  shrill,  sharp  barks. 

For  a  moment,  the  cub  entertainer  the  notion  of  show- 
ing fight.  He  gathered  himself  together  and  snarled 
fiercely  at  the  dogs  charging  down  upon  him.  But  when 
they  were  within  a  few  feet  of  him  he  suddenly  changed 
his  mind  and,  turning  tail,  made  off  toward  the  gate  of 
the  Fort  at  a  lumbering  gallop  that  took  him  over  the 
snow  in  good  style. 

•Ml  this  had  hai)i)cned  so  quickly  that  Fergus  could  not 
iiilcrferc,  but  now  with  a  shout  of: 


142 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


"  Awa  wi'  ye,  ye  brutes  !  "  he  rushed  at  the  Ksquiniaux 
dogs  and  gave  each  of  them  a  kick  with  his  moccasincij 
foot  that  sent  them  back  howling  to  their  own  quarters: 
for  dogs  of  that  breed  are  arrant  cowards. 

This  timely  interposition  did  not,  however,  brini: 
Spitfire's  troubles  to  an  end.  The  sharp  barking  of  the 
Esquimaux  had  aroused  all  the  other  dogs  in  the  Fort,  and, 
hurrying  up  to  investigate  the  cause  of  the  disturbance, 
they  caught  sight  of  the  bear  scuttling,  away  from  Lis 
pursuers,  and  with  one  accord  they  joined  in  the  chase. 

Such  a  motley,  and  for  the  most  part,  mongrel  pack  as 
they  were,  little  v/onder  if  Spitfire's  heart  stood  still  witli 
fright.  Both  the  St.  Bernards  and  the  Newfoundlands 
were  there,  besides  nearly  a  dozen  sledge  dogs  and  Indian 
curs,  all  barking  or  yelping  to  the  best  of  their 
ability. 

"Oh,  Fergus,"  cried  Ruth  in  dismay.  ''Can't  you 
drive  them  away?  They'll  kill  poor  little  Si)itfirc  if  you 
don't." 

FVrgus  fully  realized  the  peril  of  his  pet,  and  puttini; 
forth  all  his  sf)eed  dashed  into  the  middle  of  the  pack. 
hitting  to  right  and  left  with  a  stake  he  had  happily 
picked  up  on  his  way.  But  the  dogs  paid  little  attention 
to  his  blows,  and  the  cub  was  getting  close  to  the  gate. 
which  stood  wide  open.  If  once  he  reached  the  open  gate. 
he  would  either  make  good  his  escape  or  be  killed  by  the 
dogs. 

Just  at  that  moment  Papanakes  appeared  in  the  gate, 
returning  from  a  visit  to  his  traps. 

•  Stop  him!  stop  him  !  "  screamed  Fergus,  frantically 
pointing  to  the  fleeing  cub. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


143 


The  quick-witted  old  Indian  took  in  the  situation  at 
once,  and  throwing  down  what  he  was  carrying,  pre- 
pared to  stop  Master  Bruin  in  his  mad  flight.  When  he 
was  within  a  half-dozen  feet  Spitfire  caught  sight  of  him, 
and  taking  him  for  another  enemy  instead  of  a  friend, 
made  a  dcsjjerate  endeavor  to  dodge  past  him. 

So  quick  was  the  movement  that  it  took  the  Indian 
quite  by  surprise  and,  fearing  lest  the  cub  should  evade 
him,  he  flung  himself  right  upon  it,  flattening  poor  little 
Spitfire  against  the  hard  snow,  and  driving  every  atom 
of  breath  out  of  his  trembling  body. 

The  dogs  at  once  gathered  round,  barking  as  if  they 
had  treed  their  prey,  and  rather  scared  old  Papanakes, 
who  was  not  at  all  sure  that  one  of  the  big  St.  Bernards 
would  Iiesitate  about  taking  a  piece  out  of  him  if  he  felt 
so  incHned.  Moreover,  Spitfire  was  squirming  vigor- 
ously, and  doing  his  best  to  bite. 

The  scene  was  a  very  comical  one,  and  if  his  pet  had 
not  been  in  danger,  Fergus  would  have  had  a  hearty 
liu'^h  over  it ;  but  he  felt  too  anxious  about  Spitfire  to 
laugh.  Hurrying  up  to  Papanakes,  he  took  the  bear  from 
his  hands,  and  gave  him  the  stake,  saying:  "Here, 
drive  off  the  dogs  with  this." 

Mightily  glad  at  being  thus  relieved,  the  old  Indian 
sprang  up  and  laid  about  him  so  lustily  that  the  whole 
pack  of  dogs  turned  tail  and  shrank  off  howling,  leav- 
ing Fergus  free  to  get  his  cub  safely  back  to  his  snug 
quarters. 

"I'm  so  glad  they  didn't  hurt  dear  little  Spitfire," 
panted  Ruth,  who  had  been  an  anxious  witness  of  the 
whole  proceedings. 


144 


FERGUS    MAC   TAYISH- 


**  Brl  he  had  a  narrow  escape,  Riithie,  ye  see,"  said 
Fergus,  **  and  I  maunna  let  him  out  again  until  he's  a 
good  bit  bigger.  Poor  little  creature  !  he  had  a  bi'^ 
fright,  to  be  sure." 

Spafire  nestled  in  his  master's  arms  as  confidently  as 
a  kitten,  and  was  thus  carried  back  to  his  box  where  no 
dog  could  disturb  him,  while  Fergus  determined  to  see 
that  the  coast  was  perfectly  cleir  before  giviijg  him 
another  airing. 

The  snow  was  now  in  fine  condition  for  sledging,  and 
the  ievel  surface  of  the  river  presented  a  most  perfect 
place  for  the  sport.  Fergus'  dogs  had  been  too  young 
the  previous  winter  to  be  thoroughly  broken  into  harness. 
and  the  time  had  come  to  complete  their  education. 

Of  course,  the  boy  was  not  equal  to  this  task  alone. 
He  might  easily  have  trained  any  one  of  the  dogs  to 
haul,  just  as  many  a  boy  does  in  the  city  ;  but  the  training 
of  a  team  of  four  was  an  altogether  different  matter.  He 
had  therefore  to  call  in  the  assistance  of  Papanakes,  and 
in  so  doing,  imposed  a  condition  that  the  old  Indian 
found  very  hard  to  understand,  to  wit,  that  the  dogs 
were  not  to  be  be.  *^en  as  other  team  dogs  were. 

The  veteran  driver,  who  in  all  his  long  experience  had 
never  known  of  any  other  way  of  making  dogs  do  what 
was  wanted  than  to  thrash  and  pummel  and  kick  them 
into  sullen  obedience,  had  little  faith  in  the  education:il 
value  of  kindness, 

*'  No  beat  dogs,  dogs  not  haul,"  was  his  laconic  protest. 

"  Verra  weel,  then,  Papanakes,"  answered  Fergus. 
'*  I'd  rather  they  wouldn't  be  good  haulers  than  look  like 
those  poor  creatures."     And  he  pointed  to  a  number  of 


FERGUS   M^C   TAVISH. 


145 


(lo^s  belonging  to  the  Indians  and  half-breeds  that  hung 

.iboiit. 

They  certainly  were  a  most  pitiable  looking  lot  of 
animals.  One  had  lost  an  ear,  another  an  eye.  Every 
head  was  scarred  and  seamed  by  cruel  blows  of  whip  or 
stick  or  boot-heel.  Indeed,  it  was  no  uncommon  thing 
fur  one  of  their  brutal  drivers,  when  greatly  incensed,  to 
lokl  down  a  dog's  head  and  beat  it  with  the  butt  end 
of  his  whip  out  of  all  semblance  of  life. 

Now  Fergus  could  not  tolerate  the  idea  of  his  superb 
o.iiiinals  being  subjected  to  similar  treatment.  He  was 
firmly  of  the  opinion  that  such  kind,  docile,  intelligent 
creatures  could  be  taught  to  work  well  in  harness  with 
very  little  of  whip  or  stick  and  he  was  determined  to 
have  his  own  way  in  the  matter. 

The  half-breeds  have  a  curious  fashion  of  giving  names 
to  their  dogs  that  would  grate  sorely  upon  the  ears  of 
sensitive  teetotalers.  Fully  one-half  the  sledge  dogs  on 
the  Red  River  District,  for  instance,  are  called  either 
"Whisky"  or  "Brandy,"  and  many  of  the  remainder 
hearsuch  mimes  as  "  Chocolate,"  '*  Tea,"  "  Coffee,"  etc. 

Here  again  F'ergus  broke  away  from  established 
custom  and  gave  names  to  his  dogs  to  suit  his  own 
fancy.  T  he  St.  Bernards  were  called  Here  and  Bruce, 
and  the  Newfoundlands  Oscar  and  Mac.  None  of  the 
names  had  any  special  significance,  but  they  were  all 
easy  to  shout  out,  and  they  did  not  sound  at  all  like  each 
other,  two  very  imj)ortant  qualities. 

In  harnessing  the  dogs  into  the  sledge,  Flerc,  being  the 
bij^'gest,  was  made  shafter  or  "  steady-dog,"  and  Bruce, 
being  the  brightest,  took  the  lead  as  "foregoer,"  with 


146 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


Oscar  and  Mac  in  the  middle.  Bruce  promised  to  be  a 
famous  leader.  He  seemed  really  to  understand  every- 
thing  that  was  said  to  him,  and  to  do  his  best  to  obev. 
Here  was  equally  good  in  the  shafts.  But  Mac  and 
Oscar  needed  a  lot  of  teaching.  They  were  a  long  time 
getting  used  to  the  harness,  and  in  taking  it  into  their 
woolly  heads  that  they  could  not  come  to  a  full  strip 
whenever  they  pleased,  or  dash  off  at  right  angles  from 
the  track  if  anything  attracted  their  attention. 

Papanakes'  patience,  if  he  could  be  safely  accused  of 
having  such  a  virtue  where  dogs  were  concerned,  was 
sorely  tried  by  them,  and  he  managed  to  give  them  many 
a  rap  on  the  sly,  which  made  him  so  unpopular  with 
them  that  Fergus  suspected  there  was  something  wrong, 
although  he  could  not  catch  the  Indian  disobeying 
orders. 

The  dog-sledge,  or  cariole,  was  a  very  comfortable 
looking  affair.  In  order  to  make  it,  a  thin,  strong  board 
about  nine  feet  long  and  sixteen  inches  wide  was 
steamed  and  turned  up  at  one  end,  forming  a  sort  of  bow. 
This  was  strengthened  with  wooden  braces,  and  then  cov- 
ered in  with  rawhide  until  it  looked  something  like  the 
toe  of  a  slipper.  Next  a  slanting  back  was  fastened  on 
about  two  feet  from  the  rear  of  the  board,  and  the  raw- 
hide covering  extended  over  it,  making  the  resemblance 
to  a  slipper  still  stronger.  The  final  stage  was  the  decora- 
ting, and  in  this  the  fancy  of  the  Indian  was  allowed  tree 
rein,  their  artists  taking  delight  in  ornamenting  the  raw- 
hide covering  with  m-ystical  emblems  in  red  and  yellow 
pigments,  which,  no  doubt,  were  potent  charms  for 
securing  good  luck  to  the  owner  of  the  sledge. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


147 


Papanakes  took  a  world  of  pains  in  the  making  and 
decorating  of  Fergus'  cariole.  There  was  no  other  so 
handsome  at  the  Fort,  and  to  see  our  hero  on  a 
bright  winters  day  lying  luxuriously  back  in  it  wrapped 
in  cosy  fiir.s  and  listening  to  the  merry  tinkle  of  Bruce' s 
bells,  while  Papanakes  ran  alongside,  urging  on  the  team 
with  crack  of  whip  and  startling  shout,  dog -sledging  under 
such  circumstances  seemed  to  be  the  very  ideal  of  winter 
travel. 

As  soon  as  the  dogs  were  fairly  well  broken  in,  Fergus 
in  itcd  Ruth  to  take  a  ride  with  him.  They  could  not 
very  well  sit  together  inside,  the  accommodation  being 
too  cramped  ;  so  he  tucked  her  snugly  under  the  furs  and 
jum{)ed  on  at  the  back,  where  there  was  plenty  of 
standing  room. 

A  well  beaten  track  ran  from  Norway  House  along  the 
Jack  River  to  Playgreen  Lake,  and  as  he  did  not  intend 
to  go  more  than  a  couple  of  miles  or  so,  he  left  Papan- 
akes at  home,  feeling  quite  confident  of  his  being  able 
to  manage  the  dogs  himself. 

He  did  this  altogether  on  his  own  responsibility,  being 
anxious  to  show  off  a  little  before  Ruth,  which,  after  all, 
was  natural  enough  for  a  boy  of  his  age.  They  started  off  in 
fine  style,  Bruce  trotting  along  the  track  as  steadily  as  a 
stage-horse,  and  the  other  dogs  all  pulling  well  in  the 
traces. 

"Isn't  this  just  lovely?  "  exclaimed  Ruth  ecstatically, 
as  the  cariole  undulated  swiftly  over  the  smooth  road. 

"Aye,  that  it  is,  Ruthie,"  responded  Fergus,  cracking 
his  whip  almost  as  skillfully  as  Papanakes  could  do  it. 

Bnice  shook  his  head  and  increased  hi::,  pace,  the  band 


148 


FERGUS  MAC   TAVISH. 


of  bells  upon  his  back  ringing  merrily  in  the  keen,  dear 
air.  The  afternoon  was  just  perfect  for  a  sleigh  ride,  the 
cold  being  only  moderate,  and  not  a  breath  of  wind 
blowing.  With  so  light  a  load  jind  so  good  a  track,  the 
powerful  dogs  had  an  easy  task,  and  a  short  half-hour 


Pla 


V',r 


-  b 


reen 


brought    them    to    the    broad    expanse    of 
Lake. 

Here  there  were  several  tracks  leading  in  different 
directions,  but  the  going  was  good  over  the  whole 
surface  of  the  lake,  the  wind  having  beaten  the  snow 
into  firm  drifts  that  looked  like  suddenly  solidified  ocean 
billows.  It  was  Fergus'  intention  to  follow  one  of  these 
tracks  a  little  way  out  on  the  Lake  and  then  turn  about 
toward  home,  but  a  curious  incident  introduced  a  varia- 
tion that  made  the  ride  a  good  deal  more  exciting 
than  he  or  Ruth  had  antic  ipated. 

They  had  gotten  about  a  mile  from  the  land  and 
he  was  about  turning  the  dogs  around,  when  Bruce  caught 
sight  of  a  white  fox  stealing  silently  over  the  snow, 
not  lifty  yards  away.  Instantly  he  forgot  the  respon- 
sibilities of  his  position  as  *'  foregoer."  The  temjjtation 
of  a  fox  chase  was  too  strong  for  him.  With  a  joyous 
bark  he  lea])ed  forward  in  enger  pursuit,  and  the 
other  dogs,  catching  the  infection,  sprang  after  him. 

Then  ensued  a  fox-hunt,  the  like  of  whi(  h  was  jjroha- 
bly  never  seen  before.  The  fox,  of  course,  had  an 
immense  advantage  over  the  dogs,  and,  moreover, 
seemed  to  understand  that  fact ;  for  instead  of  dartii\u  olT 
out  of  sight  it  lo])e(l  along  at  an  easy  gait,  taking  (are 
that  the  pursuers  did  not  lessen  the  distance  dividing 
them. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


U9 


Full  of  hope  the  dogs  bounded  furiously  after  it,  drag- 
cr'iu'r  the  cariole  at  a  rate  that  made  Ruth  dizzy,  while 
Fer-ais  had  to  drop  his  whip  and  cling  with  both  hands  to 
the  baclv  of  the  sledge  to  prevent  himself  from  being 
pitched  off  into  a  snow-drift.  Utterly  vain  were  all  his 
efforts  to  stop  the  dogs.  He  might  as  well  have  shouted 
to  the  winds. 

lurning  off  from  the  track,  the  team  sped  over  the 
drifts,  the  cariole  rocking  up  and  down  like  a  boat  in  a 
short  swell.  So  long  as  Bruce  made  no  sudden  turn  there 
wcs  little  danger  of  the  sledge  upsetting  ;  but  what 
Bruce  might  do  depended  entirely  upon  the  fox. 

"  Hand  tight,  Ruthie,  haud  verra  tight,"  cried  Fergus. 
"The  dogs  will  soon  get  tired." 

•'I'm  holding  on  tight,"  gasped  Ruth,  in  a  very  scared 
tone.     ''  But  I  do  wish  they'd  stop." 


CHAPTER  X. 


SOWING   THE   SEED. 


FOR  full  half  a  mile  did  the  dogs  keep  up  their  reckless 
chase  after  the  crafty  fox,  which  must  have  been 
laughing  slyly  to  himself  all  the  while  at  their  vain  ex- 
penditure of  strength.  Again  and  again  did  the  cariole 
come  within  a  hairbreadth  of  tipping  over.  Indeed,  more 
than  once  Fergus  avoided  an  upset  only  by  (juicklv 
throwing  his  weight  to  the  other  side.  As  white  as  the 
snow  about  her  Ruth  clung  to  the  swaying  seat,  expecting 
every  moment  to  be  hurled  out  upon  her  head. 

But  present!'/  their  tremendous  exertions  began  U)  tell 
upon  even  the  St.  Bernards'  mighty  frames.  Bruce's  s[)eed 
perceptibly  slackened.  He  had  no  more  breath  to  waste  on 
barking.  With  drooping  head,  and  tongue  hanging  out 
its  full  length,  he  doggedly  maintained  the  purMiit, 
although  the  fox's  lead  had  increased  to  one  hundred 
yards  at  least,  and  lie  must  soon  disappear  altogether. 

"They  are  wearying,  Ruthie,"  cried  Fergus,  joyfully. 
**  They'll  no  go  much  farther."  And  then  in  his  most 
imperious  tone  he  commanded  the  dogs  to  stop. 

Bruce's  determined  gallop  wavered,  and  then  fell  to  a 
trot,  the  trut  became  a  walk,  and  finally  he  stopi'cd 
altogether,  turned  full  around,  and  giving  Fergus  a  luuk 
that  clearly  meant :  "Haven't  I  just  been  the  bigLicst 
kind  of  a  foul  ?"  lay  down  in  the  snow  panting  like  a 
150 


FERGUS    MAC  TAVISH. 


151 


steam-engine,  the  rest  of  the  team  immediately  following 
his  example. 

At  once  Fergus  sprang  forward,  threw  aside  the  furs, 
and  lifted  Ruth  out  of  the  cariole. 

'<  There  you  are,  Ruthie,"  he  said,  smiling  all  over  his 
hcc  in  his  joy  that  no  accident  had  befallen  them. 
"  Nut  hurt  the  least  bit,  and  my  !  but  didn't  you  have  a 
grand  ride  ?  ' ' 

Kuth  shook  herself  to  make  sure  that  she  was  all  right, 
gave  a  huge  sigh  of  relief,  and  then  was  ready  to  smile 
as  L'ayly  as  Fergus. 

"1  did  have  a  grand  ride,  Fergus,"  she  responded. 
"But  1  wiis  very,  very  frightened,  you  know.  I  thought 
i  was  going  to  upset  ever  so  many  times." 

"And  I  was  fiightened  too,  Ruth,  not  for  myself,  but 
fur  yuu.  But  now  neither  of  us  is  hurt  at  all,  and  what 
a  ride  we've  had  !  I'm  vcrra  certain  Mr.  Barnston's 
Huskies  could  na  hae  gone  sae  fast  as  my  dogs  did  just 
iiuw.  I'm  just  going  to  have  a  race  with  him  soon,  and  try 
whose  team  can  go  the  fastest." 

'*  Oh,  )c3  ;  do,  Fergus,"  cried  Ruth,  full  of  glee  at  the 
prusjAct  of  an  exciting  race.  **  And  let  me  be  in  the 
cariole,  will  you ?  * '  she  added.  For  by  this  time  tl.e  young 
dauisel  had  recovered  her  self-i)Ossession  and  was  (juite 
ready  for  another  adventure. 

"To  be  sure,  Ruthie,  if  your  fatlier  will  let  you,"  was 
the  prompt  rei)ly.  **  And  now  we  maun  start  for  home 
again,  if  the  dogs  arc  rested  enougli." 

'llie  dogs  had  recovered  their  wind,  but  they  were 
evidently  a  good  deal  tired,  and  a  slow  trot  was  the  best 
that  Fergus  could  get  out  of  them  on  tlie  way  back  to 


152 


FERGUS   MAC   TA.V1SH. 


the  Fort,  so  that  the  early  dusk  of  winter  was  draw- 
ing near  by  the  time  the  cariole  passed  through  the 
gate. 

The  recital  of  their  adventure  was  listened  to  with 
great  interest  in  the  chief  trader's  household. 

"  Eh  !  mon,  but  I  wish  I  could  hae  seen  it,"  laughed 
Mr.  MacTavish.  "  The  four  foolish  dogs  tugging  their 
hearts  out  trying  to  catch  a  fox  that  they  could  na  catch 
even  if  they  had  been  loose,  and  the  twa  bairns  holdin^^ 
on  the  sledge  for  dear  life,  looking  scairt  enough,  na.' 
doot.  It  must  hae  made  a  fine  picture,  eh,  Mr.  Ohien? " 
turning  to  tiie  missionary. 

The  Oldens  did  nut  take  quite  so  humorous  a  view  of 
the  incident  as  did  their  hosts.  They  were  not  yet  fully 
accMstomed  to  the  adventurous  life  of  the  North,  and 
were  disposed  to  think  that  Ruth  liad  been  running  great 
risks. 

**A  fine  picture,  indeed,  Mr.  MacTavish,"  answered 
Mr.  Olden,  **  but  it  seems  to  me  there  was  too  much 
danger  of  an  upset,  with  possibly  serious  consecpiences.  to 
mike  it  altogether  pleasant.  However,  it  has  ended 
ha'  \y  enough,  for  which  God  be  praised,  and  Rutii  is 
the  icher  for  an  experience  that  few  girls  of  her  age 
C^  *"  had  ;  and  if  it  be  her  lot  to  spend  her  lite  in  this 
country,  I  suppose  she  may  as  well  begin  now  to  get 
accustomed  to  its  wavs." 

When  her  husbaml  spoke  of  Taith  spending  her  life 
in  the  North,  Mrs.  Olden  glanced  at  her  and  then  at 
Fergus.  Mothers  think  a  long  way  ahead,  and  there  was 
a  thought  in  Mrs.  Oldcn's  mind  that  went  many  years 
into  the  future.     Her  love  for  Fergus  grew  with  incrcas- 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


153 


in(r  knowledge  of  him,  and  if  his  manhood  fulfilled  the 
promise  of  his  boyhood,  as  she  felt  sure  it  would,  she 
would  not  hesitate  to  commit  to  him  her  most  precious 
possession. 

Life  was  not  all  play,  however,  with  either  Fergus  or 
Ruth.  Due  attention  was  paid  to  their  education,  so 
that  it  was  safe  to  say  that  no  young  people  in  the  North- 
west were  more  soundly  instructed  than  tliey  in  the  rudi- 
ments of  the  different  branches  of  learning.  Shortly 
after  his  coming,  Mr.  Olden  offered  o  be  Fergus*  school- 
teacher, and  Mrs.  Mac 'lavish  gladly  handed  over  her 
pu})il,  for  he  had  already  gone  with  her  nearly  as  flir  as 
she  could  take  him. 

Under  Mr.  Olden,  Fergus  made  rapid  progress.  The 
missionary  had  a  positive  gcnms  for  teaching.  Exceed- 
ing patience,  full  sympathy  with  his  pupil's  difficulties, 
and  inspiring  faith  in  the  value  of  each  lesson  marked  his 
methods,  and  Fergus  soon  learned  to  love  him  dearly, 
and  to  take  great  delight  in  carrying  out  his  dire(  tions. 
For  three  hours  every  morning  Mr.  Olden  had  two  pupils 
\\ith  him,  both  busy  with  their  own  tasks,  and  Fergus, 
ristiess,  energetic,  play-loving  chap  as  he  was,  rarely 
found  the  time  too  long,  so  interesting  did  his  teacher 
make  the  work. 

'I'he  missionary's  library  not  having  yet  arrived,  for  it 
\uO  to  be  sent  to  England  from  Canada,  and  then  come 
out  to  York  Factory  in  the  Company's  annual  ship,  the 
sujijily  of  l)()oks  would  have  been  rather  scanty  but  for 
Sir  lleorge  Simpson's  precious  j)resent  to  l^ergus  the  year 
hefore.  In  this  admirably  chosen  little  library  were 
books  that  suited  Mr.  Olden't:  purpose  very  well,  and  he 


154 


FERGUS   M.\C   TAVISH. 


quite  enjoyed  imparting  their  contents  to  the  two  bright 
scholars  under  his  care. 

Fergus,  of  course,  was  far  in  advance  of  Ruth,  but  that 
did  not  prevent  their  taking  a  lively  interest  in  each 
other's  lessons,  and  helping  one  another  very  much  in 
that  way,  so  that  there  was  not  a  day  that  Fergus  did 
not  feel  glad  at  having  so  interesting  a  companion  in  his 
work  as  well  as  in  his  play. 

Mr.  Olden  was  a  very  busy  learner  too.  Not  out 
of  the  same  books  as  his  pupils,  however,  but  from 
the  books  of  flesh  and  blood  in  dusky  bindings,  the  need 
of  whose  immortal  souls  had  filled  his  heart  wit 
burning  zeal  to  make  known  to  them  the  gosj^el  of 
Jesus. 

Losing  no  opportunity  to  acquire  the  Cree  langurgc,  he 
had  already  made  remarkable  progress,  and  coukl  make 
himself  understood  in  conversation  with  the  Indians, 
although  he  had  still  to  call  in  the  aid  of  an  interpreter 
when  preaching.  For  this  purpose  he  had  the  services 
of  an  intelligent  half-bieed,  named  Alec  Grant,  in  whose 
veins  Cree  and  Highlan.l  Scotch  blood  made  a  curious 
mixture,  and  who  had  a  good  command  of  several  of  the 
Indian  dialects  as  well  as  of  ordinary  English. 

P'rom  an  intellectual  or  moral  point  of  view  Alec  was 
not  very  much  above  the  Indians  with  whom  he  con- 
sorted, and  from  whom  he  had  already  taken  a  wife.  He 
was  a  long  time  in  understanding  the  missionary's  jmrposc 
in  preaching,  but  that  did  not  prevent  iiis  being  a  willing 
and  helpful  assistant.  Indeed,  he  quite  liked  the  i)osition 
of  interpreter,  for  in  addition  to  the  presents  which 
Mr.  Olden  thouuht  it  well  to  make  him  from  time  to  time, 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


155 


there  was  a  certain   amount  of  importance  and  dignity 
connected  with  it. 

The  Indian  has  a  passion  for  oratory.  In  his  eyes  the 
fluent,  forcible  speaker  is  highly  esteemed  ;  and  Alec,  as  he 
stood  up  before  the  gathering  of  red  men  and  half-breeds 
and  repeated  to  them  Mr.  Olden's  simple,  earnest,  well- 
ordered  discourse,  naturally  enough  took  some  of  the 
cndit  for  it  to  himself,  and  put  an  amount  of  vim  into  it 
often  that  delighted  the  missionary  no  less  than  the 
audience. 

It  was  Mr.  Olden's  custom  to  preach  to  the  Indians  on 
two  evenings  in  each  week,  and  on  Sunday  afternoons. 
At  such  times  he  generally  had  a  congregation  of  from 
fiftv  to  seventy-five  men  and  women,  who  listened  to  him 
with  very  commendable  gravity  and  apparent  atten- 
tion. The  invariable  subject  of  his  sermons,  or  rather  of 
his  talks,  for  he  did  not  attempt  to  preach  sermons  in  the 
strii  t  sense  of  the  word,  was  Jesus  Christ.  Step  by  step 
he  led  his  dusky,  benighted  audience  along  the  story  of 
our  Saviour's  life,  speaking  to  them  so  .-dimply  and  yet 
so  L;rai)hically  that  he  soon  enlisted  their  interest  in  this 
wonderful  ''Medicine-man,"  who  could  make  the  blind 
to  see,  the  lame  to  walk,  and  even  bring  the  dead  back  to 
life. 

So  evident  was  their  eagerness  to  listen,  and  so  regular 
their  attendance,  that  Mr.  MacTavish  had  to  admit 
that  they  seemed  to  be  worth  talking  to,  after  all, 
although  he  was  still  scej^tical  as  to  their  being  able 
to  grasp  tlie  spiritual  meanings  which  underlay  the  beau- 
tiful story  Mr.  Olden  told  so  well. 

**  They're   gude    listeners    I'm    fain    to  confess,    Mr. 


156 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Olden,- '  said  he.  "  Far  better  than  many  a  congregation 
of  white  folk.  But  dae  ye  really  think  ye  can  ever  get 
them  to  understand  the  doctrines  of  theology  and  the 
like  ?  "  Mr.  Olden' s  face  wore  a  smile  of  unruffled  confi- 
dence as  he  answered : 

"What  need  '.av^  they  of  the  doctrines  of  theology, 
Mr.  MacTu.  Isn  :  Would  to  God  that  we,  and  those  who 
were  before  s,  had  given  them  less  thought  !  There  is 
surely  but  one  doci, ^le  the  poor  Indians  need  know, 
and  that  is  expressed  in  the  glorious  statement:  "For 
God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten 
Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish, 
but  have  everlasting  life." 


i( 


True,  true,  Mr.  Olden,"  said  Mr.  MacTavish,  with  a 
half-suppressed  sigh.  "  The  greatest  and  wisest  of  men 
need  nae  more  than  that,  and  it  wad  nae  doubt  be  better 
for  mony  of  us  if  we  took  a  stronger  grip  at  t!  at 
text  than  we  do."  And  the  chief  trader  relapsed  inio 
a  thoughtful  silence,  which  Mr.  Olden  did  not  disturb. 
Mr.  MacTavish,  although  from  his  earliest  youth  he 
had  held  religion  in  great  respect  and  had  been  faithful  in 
the  outward  observance  of  its  forms,  so  far  as  he  had  oppor- 
tunity, was  not  in  reality  a  Christian.  Without  perhaps 
being  aware  of  it,  he  was  resting  upon  his  own  righteous- 
ness, and  had  never  been  troubled  by  any  promptings  to 
act  the  part  of  missionary  to  others.  Mr.  Olden' s  zeal 
aroused  his  wonder  no  less  than  his  admiration.  He 
could  not  quite  understand  why  any  one  should  sacrifice 
so  much,  and  enter  upon  a  life  of  such  hardshi})s,  in 
order  to  bring  the  gosi)el  to  a  lot  of  scpialid,  stupid 
savages.     He  was  ,     :irewd,  keen,  practical  man  of  busi- 


FERGUS   MAC   TA VISIT. 


157 


ness,  and  in  his  opinion,  to  use  a  popular  expression, 
"the  game  was  hardly  worth  the  candle."  Since  the 
Creator  had  seen  fit  to  leave  the  Indians  in  darkness  for 
so  many  centuries,  it  seemed  a  kind  of  presumption 
almost,  to  interfere  now. 

Fergus,  however,  took  a  very  different  view  of  the 
matter.  In  his  eyes  Mr.  Olden  was  a  hero,  and  Mrs. 
Olden  a  heroine  of  the  first  order.  They  had  left  their 
comfortable  home  in  the  midst  of  civilization  to  go  out 
into  the  wilderness,  and  carry  the  gospel  to  sava'  •. 
whom  he  had  been  taught  to  look  upon  as  little  htticr 
than  the  dogs  that  inicsted  their  tepees.  No  questic'iA  gs 
as  to  whether  an  Indian  could  understand  a  theoiO^''<  J 
tenet  troubled  his  mind.  As  he  listened  to  Mr.  Olaen 
putting  his  whole  heart  into  the  praying,  the  singu  ^5  and 
the  ?i)eaking  at  each  little  service,  he  caught  the  infection 
of  his  ardor,  and  grew  eager  for  some  tangible  results. 

That  there  would  be  such  results  he  never  for  a 
moment  doubted.  Mr.  Olden  could  not  fail.  The  red 
men  must  be  persuaded ;  and  he  looked  forward  to  the 
time  pro})hesied  by  the  missionary,  when  preachers  would 
come  from  among  the  Indians  themselves  who  would  bear 
the  glad  tidings  to  camps  far  beyond  Mr.  Olden's  reach. 
Alec  Grant,  he  thought,  ought  to  be  the  first  of  these. 
He  would  make  a  capital  missionary,  if  he  only  had  the 
hear*:  for  it. 

Fergus  came  more  and  more  under  Mr.  Olden's  influ- 
enrt  Besides  the  services  es]  e(-ially  for  the  Indians, 
the  missionary  held  a  regular  church  service  on  Sunday 
morning,  for  the  officials  and  employees  of  the  establish- 
ment, and  a  kind  of  Bible  class  on  Wednesday  evening. 


158 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


From  none  of  these  meetings  was  Fergus  absent.  He 
was  interested  in  them,  both  because  of  the  leader  and 
his  subject.  They  were  welcome  incidents  in  the  quiet 
routine  of  the  week ;  and  without  reahzing  it  himself. 
like  another  Timothy  he  was  being  instructed  in  the  faith 
once  delivered  unto  the  saints  by  another  Paul,  ^vho 
sought  to  make  him  wise  unto  salvation. 

Not  that  he  had  hitherto  been  in  ignorance  of  the 
truths  of  the  Bible.  His  first  reading  book  was  the  Book 
of  Proverbs,  and  his  mother  had  never  failed  to  read  a 
chapter  with  him  morning  and  night,  so  that  they  had 
thus  gone  through  the  Bible  from  Genesis  to  Revelation 
several  times.  There  was  therefore  no  novelty  in  Mr. 
Olden' s  subject.  It  was  his  way  of  presenting  it  that 
was  novel,  and  that  seized  upon  Fergus'  imagination 
and  kindled  his  heart. 

The  Son  of  man  had  been  largely  an  ab'  fraction  to 
the  boy.  He  held  somewhat  the  same  co  ception  of 
him  as  one  might  of  the  King  Arthur  of  Tennyson's 
Idylls.  Christ  awakened  his  wonder,  commanded  his 
admiration,  touched  his  sympathy ;  but  the  thought  of 
his  own  personal  relation  to  the  Saviour  of  men  had 
never  taken  form  in  his  mind.  In  a  vague  way  he  did 
of  course  understand  that  he  was  under  certain  obli<:a- 
tions  to  him,  and  ought  to  try  and  please  him.  But  this 
had  little  or  no  influence  upon  his  life.  Endowed  with  a 
frank,  pure,  affectionate,  generous  nature,  he  naturally 
preferred  doing  the  right  ninety-nine  times  out  of  ihe 
hundred,  and  if  he  failed  the  hundredth  time,  it  was  niu>t 
probably  in  obedience  to  some  sudden  impulse,  not 
because  of  deliberate  choice. 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


159 


But  as  he  listened  to  Mr.  Olden,  there  grew  upon  him 
an  altogether  new  conception  of  the  Christ.  According 
to  the  missionary  he  was  no  shadowy  abstraction,  no 
mere  majtstic  figure  in  a  splendid  legend  of  the  past,  but 
an  in'icnsely  real  living  person,  belonging  to  the  present, 
and  stretching  out  arms  of  infinite  love  to  embrace  all 
mankind, — a  Saviour  of  the  white  man  and  the  red  man 
alike,  in  whose  esteem  one  immortal  soul  was  worth  more 
than  the  whole  world. 

With  this  divine  personality  Mr.  Olden  seemed  on 
terms  of  close,  and  familiar  intimacy  that  Fergus  could 
hardly  understand.  He  spoke  of  him  always  as  his 
Master,  and  evidently  regarded  him  as  no  less  an 
actuality  than  Mr.  MacTavish  was  to  the  officials  who 
served  under  him. 

All  these  things  made  their  impression  upon  Fergus' 
mind  and  heart.  They  were  so  many  seeds  falling  into 
soil  ready  to  receive  them,  where  in  due  cime  they  would 
brins  forth  fruit  that  would  abundantly  repay  the  sowing, 
whether  the  sower  might  be  permitted  to  see  the  result 
of  his  labors  or  not. 

In  the  1  lean  ;ime  his  life  went  on  much  as  usual,  for 
while  the  circle  of  his  thoughts  widened,  the  range  of  his 
activities  and  amusements  was  not  in  anywise  narrowed. 
His  interest  in  the  missionary  and  his  work  did  not  dull 
his  ai>petite  for  fun,  and  as  leader  of  the  l)oys  of  the  fort 
he  kept  the  ball  rolling  merrily  through  the  winter.  What 
wiih  snow-shoe  tramps  into  the  forest,  toboggan  races 
down  the  hill  out  on  to  Playgrecn  Lake,  and  trials  of 
speed  between  his  dog-team  and  others,  he  had  amuse- 
ment enough. 


160 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


The  event  of  the  winter  in  the  wav  of  sport  was  the 
great  race  with  Mr.  Barnston's  team.  This  came  off 
toward  the  end  of  February,  and  aroused  intense 
excitement. 

From  the  time  the  snow  fell,  Mr.  Barnston  had  been 
chaffing  him  about  his  big  dogs,  of  which,  to  tell  the 
truth,  he  was  half  envious.     He  would  hail  him  with : 

'*  Well,  Fergus,  how  are  your  elephants  getting  along? 
When  will  you  be  ready  to  have  a  brush  with  me  ?  " 

Fergus  was  eager  enough  for  the  contest,  but  he  al- 
lowed himself  to  r^«^  guided  by  Papanakes  in  the  matter. 
The  old  Indian  was  exceedingly  anxious  to  inflict  a 
crushing  defeat  upon  Mr.  Barnston,  whose  curt,  imperious 
ways  had  made  him  very  unpopular  among  the  employees ; 
and  he  was  determined  that  the  race  should  not  take 
place  until  Fergus'  dogs  were  ready.  So  when  Fergus 
would  come  to  him  flushed  with  Mr.  Barnston's  taunts, 
and  impatient  for  the  contest,  Papanakes  would  shake 
his  head  very  solemnly,  and  say  : 

*'  Bimeby,  Fergus,  bimeby.  Dogs  no  sense  yet.  Me 
teach  'em  run  better.     Then  Mr.  Barnston  nowhere." 

And  Fergus,  knowing  that  the  faithful  creature's  heart 
was  set  upon  victory  no  less  than  was  his  own,  would  curb 
his  impatience,  and  consent  to  wait  a  little  longer. 

After  the  splendid  exhibition  of  speed  his  dogs  had 
shown  in  chasing  the  fox,  however,  he  found  it  still 
harder  to  restrain  his  ardor,  and  it  was  therefore  with 
great  joy  that  he  at  last  obtained  Papanakes'  consent  to 
accept  Mr.  Barnston's  oft-repeated  challenge. 

It  was  arranged  that  the  contest  should  come  off  on 
the  first  favorable  day,  and  that  the  race  course  should  be 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


161 


on  riavgreen  Lake.  After  a  good  deal  of  discussion,  in 
which  Mr.  MacTavish  was  his  son's  adviser,  the  plan  de- 
cided upon  was  as  follows  :  The  teairs  were  to  be  taken 
t.)  a  point  out  on  the  lake  about  two  miles  from  the  land, 
and  then  headed  straight  for  home  ;  the  first  to  arrive  at 
the  entrance  of  the  Jack  River  into  the  lake  being  the 
winners.  As  speed  was  the  point  chiefly  at  issue  between 
the  teams,  in  order  that  they  might  do  their  best  without 
being  delayed  by  having  to  pick  out  their  way,  a  double 
trai  k  was  tramped  upon  the  snow  with  snow-shoes.  Of 
(our^e,  it  was  anything  but  a  level  course.  No  attempt 
was  made  to  smooth  off  its  unevenness.  The  undulations 
and  angles  of  the  drifts  were  left  just  as  they  were,  and 
plenty  of  care  would  have  to  be  taken  to  guard  against  an 
ujiset. 

They  had  to  wait  a  week  before  a  really  suitable^  day 
came,  and  were  then  rewarded  by  one  perfect  for  their 
P'arpose.  Fergus'  lessons  suffered  sadly  that  morning; 
Init  Mr.  Olden  was  indulgent,  and  brought  the  teaching 
to  a  (lose  an  hour  sooner  than  usual,  in  order  that  his  ex- 
cited pupil  might  be  off  to  the  dogs  that  engro-sed  all  his 
thonc:hts. 

It  was  a  beautiful,  bright,  clear  winter's  day,  not  too 
cold,  but  just  colci  enough  to  fill  one  with  electric 
energy,  and  earb'  in  the  afternoon  the  entire  population 
of  the  fort  and  ol  the  Indian  camps  near  by,  might  have 
been  seen  moving  in  groups  toward  Playgreen  Lake, 
wlvjre  they  gathered  at  the  mouth  of  the  Jack  River. 
lioth  Mrs.  MacTavish  and  Mrs.  Olden  w^re  there,  as  well 
as  their  husbands  ;  and  Ruth,  bubbling  over  witli  intense 
excitement,  was  darting  hither  and  thither,  looking,  in 

L 


162 


FERGUS   MAC   TA VISIT. 


her  scarlet  ermine -trimmed  cloak  and  cap,  with  noddin;' 
plume  of  fox  brush,  like  a  brilliant  bird.  Fergus  had 
promised  to  ask  permission  for  her  to  sit  in  his  cariole, 
and  she  was  full  of  the  idea,  having  quite  forgotten  her 
fright  when  the  dogs  ran  away  with  her  some  tiuic  betorr. 

Fergus  was  the  first  to  appear.  His  dogs  were  in  superb 
condition.  Papanakes  had  spared  no  pains  to  fit  them 
for  tlie  race.  Bruce  and  Hercules,  the  big  St.  Bernard  . 
had  coats  that  shone  like  polished  wood  ;  and  you  could 
see  their  mighty  muscles  underneath,  knotted  in  iTeat 
lumps  like  the  arms  of  a  Grecian  athlete.  Oscar  and 
Mac,  the  Newfoundlands,  had  been  cleaned  and  ( oiidjcij 
until  their  black,  curly  fur  seemed  soft  is  silk,  and  thcv 
too  showed  that  nothing  had  been  neglected  to  get  thcin 
ready.  Their  harness  had  been  rubbed  and  oiled  nntd  it 
glistened  again,  the  cariole  given  a  fresh  coat  of  paint, 
and  altogether  the  outfit  reflected  great  credit  upon  Fer- 
gus and  his  faithful  assistant. 

A  few  minutes  later  Mr.  Barnston  arrived  ;  and  is 
Fergus  anxiously  scanned  his  team,  he  felt  a  sinking  of 
heart  that  almost  unnerved  him.  The  dogs  were  all 
Estpiimaux  of  the  purest  breed,  sharp-nosed, clevcr-look'ii;' 
creatures,  with  perfectly  shaped  bodies  and  bushy  tai!^ 
curled  closely  over  their  backs.  The  *'foregoer"  \va^ 
pure  white,  and  his  snapping  black  eyes  fairly  shone  with 
intelligence.  No  fear  but  that  he  would  obey  orders, 
and  keep  to  the  track,  no  matter  how  fast  he  nd^ht  he 
going.  The  middle  dogs  were  black  and  white,  two  fnie. 
strong  animals,  nnd  the  **  steady  dog"  was  a  splendid 
fellow  of  his  kind,  quite  as  large  as  cither  of  the  New. 
founilkinds,  and  their  equal  in  strength. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


163 


<'Ye'll  have  to  do  your  best  in  order  to  win,  laddie," 
saiil  Mr.  MacTavish.  *'  Dinna  ye  lose  yer  head.  A  great 
deal  may  happen  in  twa  miles,  ye  ken;  and  don't  get 
down-hearted  if  Mr.  Barnston  takes  the  lead  o'  you  at  tlie 

start." 

The  chief  trader  shrewdly  guessed  that  the  Esquimaux 
would  be  quicker  at  getting  away  than  their  rivals,  but 
that  the  sujjcrior  endurance  of  the  latter  would  tell 
toward  the  finish. 

"Never  fear,  father,"  answered  Fergus.  'Til  not 
give  up  till  the  race  is  over,  no  matter  how  far  Mr. 
liarnston  gets  ahead." 

Then  as  everything  was  in  readiness  he  went  to  Mr. 
Olden,  and  asked  if  Ruth  might  sit  in  his  cariolc.  But 
greatly  to  his  disappointment,  the  missionary  would  not 
consent. 

"  \o,  no,  Fergus,"  said  he,  decidedly.  *' Ruth  is 
lietter here  with  us.  She  would  only  be  in  your  way; 
and  there  might  bean  upset,  you  know." 

So  Fergus,  who  had  intended  to  stand  up  behind  the 
seat  in  order  that  he  might  be  freer  to  act,  had  to  take 
one  ot' the  Indian  boys  in  R".th's  place. 

.\mid  the  expectant  murmurs  of  the  crowd  which  had 
stretched  itself  out  along  the  tra(  k  for  ftdi  a  hundred 
yards  from  the  winning  ])Ost,  the  com[)eting  teams 
moved  off  to  the  place  of  starting. 

Mr.  I'lrnston  seemed  to  be  in  higli  feather.     If  he  had 
the  slightest   doubt  as  to  the  result,  he  iiid  it  most  sue 
le-sfully   under   a  gay  exterior.     He  had  many   a  joke 
about  I'ergus'  elephants,  and  pretendid   to  think  that  in 
\  u  w  of  their  size,  only  one  of  the  St.  Bernaids*  should 


164 


fp:rgus  mac  tavish. 


have  been  harnessed,  as  either  of  them  was  about  equal  in 
weight  to  two  of  his  Esquimaux. 

Fergus  took  his  raillery  in  perfect  good^huinor.  and 
made  no  attempt  to  -^.nswer  back.  If  Mr.  Barnston  wis 
sanguine,  he  did  not  pretend  to  be  more  than  hoi)-fui, 
and  the  less  he  said  before  the  race,  the  less  he  wo'iLi 
have  to  take  back  if  he  were  beaten. 

They  reached  the  starting  point,  and,  after  a  brief 
[)ause  to  make  sure  that  there  was  nothing  amiss  with  thtj 
harness,  the  foregoers'  heads  were  turned  toward  tlic 
waiting  crowd.  Mr.  Harnston,  sm.iling  confidently,  ijot 
into  his  cariole,  and  adjusted  his  furs.  Fergus  fixed  the 
little  Indian  securely  in  the  seat  of  his  and  got  on  behind. 
looking  very  [)ale,  but  steady  and  determined. 

"  Are  we  all  ready  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Barnston. 

Fergus  nodded  affirmatively. 

''Then  off  we  go,"  he  shouted;  and  rising  from  hi> 
seat  he  gave  a  whoop  that  would  have  done  credit  to  ;i 
Cree,  at  the  same  moment  making  his  long  whip  (tack 
over  his  dogs'  backs  with  a  repoit  like  a  pistol. 

The  Indians  who  had  been  holding  the  leaders'  head>;, 
instantly  sprang  iiside,  and  the  two  s[)lendid  teams  dashed 
away  on  their  long  race. 

The  spectators  waiting  eagerly  at  the  end  of  the  cnursi'. 
looked  like  dark  dots  ui)on  the  snow,  and  leading  straii,'iu 
toward  them  was  the  track,  rising  and  falling  in  ci-v 
undulations,  with  here  and  there  a  sharp,  sudden  dip  tli.tt 
would  tax  the  skill  of  the  drivers  to  avoid  an  overturn. 

As  Mr.  Ma( Tavisii  expe(  ted,  the  Fsiiuitnaux  were  tlv 
(juick<'st  in  getting  away.  The  instant  .Mr.  n.inistoii 
bhnuted  they  sprang  forward,  straining  the  lough  harin» 


a^  taut  a! 

gotten  fa 

dayhght 

iii,-5  iitmo: 

Mr.    I 

leaned  b; 

couragin, 

''Coin 

phaiits.  r 

Fergus 

encourag 

"Oudt 

let  i!)e  i:> 

The  nt 

stdl  hard( 

ing  intere 

aiiiiuals  il 

shining  u 

air  niakin 

rp  aiu 

hoats  at  s 

jil.ice,  an 

imitated 

nil  h'rnea 

One-lu: 

in  the'  rel 

un.ible  to 

hand  Mr. 

fruiii  r,ru( 

tiie  rale  u 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


165 


ai,  taut  as  the  strings  of  a  violin  ;  and  before  Bruce  had 
gotten  fairly  into  his  stride,  there  was  a  broad  stretch  of 
daviight  between  his  nose  and  the  other  cariole,  which 
hi.,  utmost  efforts  could  not  lessen. 

Mr.  barnston,  looking  most  provokingly  radiant, 
leaned  back  in  his  seat,  and  turning  round,  beckoned  en- 
couragingly to  Fergus. 

"Come  along!"  he  cried.  "Hurry  up  your  ele- 
phants, or  I'll  have  to  wait  for  you." 

Fergus  made  him  no  re[)ly,  but  leaning  forward,  spoke 
encouragingly  to  his  dogs. 

*'Gude  Bruce,  gude  Here,  awa  with  ye  noo.  Dinna 
let  t!ic  Kscpiimaux  beat  ye." 

'['he  noble  creatures  ])ricked  up  their  ears  and  strained 
still  harder  at  the  traces.  The  sight  was  one  of  exceed- 
ing interest,  the  two  perfectly  appointed  teams  of  beautiful 
animals  fixing  over  the  spotless  snow,  with  the  bright  sun 
shining  upon  their  glistening  harness,  and  the  cold,  crisp 
air  making  every  nerve  tingle  in  their  excited  drivers. 

rp  and  down  the  light  carioles  pitched  and  tossed  like 
Itoats  at  sea.  Fergus  found  it  no  easy  matter  to  kcej)  his 
plue,  and  more  than  unie  regretted  that  he  had  not 
imitated  his  o[)ponent's  example  and  ensconced  himself 
unliTiieath  the  furs. 

One-half  the  distance  had  been  covered  with(jut  (  haiige 
in  the  relative  position  of  the  <  ontestants.  IJruce  seemed 
uiiahle  to  get  any  nearer  to  Mr.  Barnston,  hut  on  the  other 
hiiKJ  Mr.  Harnston  was  unable  to  get  any  farther  away 
from  bruce.  Both  teams  were  straining  every  nerve,  and 
tile  rale  of  speed  was  enough  to  take  one's  breath  away. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


A  TALK  ABOUT  RACE  RUNNING. 


AT  the  end  of  the  course  the  expectant  on.  )okers  were 
straining  their  eyes  trying  to  distinguish  between 
the  swiftly  approaching  teams  that  were  now  in  full  vi.  w 
upon  the  top  of  a  drift,  and  the  next  moment  out  of  ;ii;ht 
in  a  hollow.  Mr.  MacTavish  had  brought  hi^  tclcscuj^e 
with  him,  and  peering  through  it,  he  gave  vent  to  an  ex- 
ckmiation  of  dismay  when  he  made  out  what  a  deciiled 
advantage  Mr.  Barnston  had  over  P'ergus. 

*'What  can  the  laddie  be  aboot,  "  he  cried,  '' to  let 
Mr.  Barnston  get  sae  far  ahead.  Look  ye,  Mr.  Okltii." 
handing  the  gla.-;s  to  the  missionary.  '*  Dae  ye  think 
Fergus  can  catch  up  to  him?  " 

Mr.  Olden  put  the  telesco[)e  to  his  eye,  and  looked  so 
long  without  answering  that  the  chief  trader  becaiue 
impatient. 

*'  Well,  sir,  huw  seems  it  to  you?  "  he  asked. 

"It  looks  well,  Mr.  MacTavish.  It  looks  well,  or  my 
eyes  mislead  me,"  replied  Mr.  Olden,  handing  hark  the 
glass.  ''Just  take  a  peep  yourself  and  see  if  you  don't 
think  that  Fergus  is  creeping  up  on  him." 

The  chief  trader  aimed  the  telescope  at  the  comjKtitfirs, 
and  at  once  his  face  brightened. 

"Ye're  right,  sir,"  he  exclaimed,  without  removing  tiic 
glass  from  his  eve.  '*  Ye' re  surely  right.  The  laddie's 
oxerhnuling  him.     He'll  soon  be  alangside." 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISIT. 


167 


iMr.  Olden  was  right.  The  floet-footed  Esquimaux  had 
l;eut  up  the  tremendous  pace  they  set  at  the  start  for 
more  than  a  mile,  their  big  oj^ponents  j^ounding  along  in 
their  rear,  not  allowing  their  lead  to  increase,  but  finding 
it  iiiipossible  to  cut  it  down.  But  as  the  second  mile 
slipi^d  away  the  pace  began  to  tell ;  they  did  not  cover 
^0  much  ground  at  each  bound,  and  their  heads  lowered 
while  their  breath  came  short  and  quick.  Foot  by  foot 
the  giant  Bruce  drew  nearer  the  other  cariole,  despite  its 
driver's  loud  shouts  and  sharp  sna})ping  of  his  long  whip. 
N  i\v  his  nose  was  on  a  level  with  Mr.  Barnston's  back  ;  a 
Kw  more  strenuous  leaps  and  it  had  reached  the  bow  of 
his  cariole.  Clearly  it  was  but  a  matter  of  another  fifty 
yards  or  so  when  the  great  St.  Bernard  and  the  white  Es- 
quimaux would  be  side  by  side. 

Then  did  Mr.  Barnston  lose  all  his  gay  confidence. 
Springing  up  he  flung  his  furs  aside,  and  roaring  out 
fiercely : 

'•  Hie  on,  you  rascals  !   Hie  on  with  you  !  " 

lie  sent  the  cruel  whip  again  and  again  acrosss  the 
backs  of  his  dogs  so  heavily  that  it  stung  through  all  their 
thick  fiir.  Startled  and  smarting  they  dashed  forw  <\. 
But  it  was  only  a  spasmodic  effort.  They  could  n>  is- 
tain  it,  and  soon  fell  back  to  tlieir  former  pace. 

Not  so  did  Fergus  treat  his  noble  dogs.     He 
whip  in  his  hands  indeed,  but  they  had  never  felt 
iil'on  their  backs,  and  never  would  so  long  as 
tii'jir  driver.     Crac:king  it  in  the  air  high  above  ihem, 
liC  called  to  them,  one  by  one  ; 

**r,ude  Bruce!  Gude  Oscar  !  Glide  Mac  !  Gude  Here! 
Aui"  with  ye  noo  !  We're  gaining  on  them.    We're  gain- 


ir 


ul  a 
lasl'i 
was 


168 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISII. 


ing  on  them.     Aye,  that  we  are.      They're  wearyinr^ 
doggies;  they're  wearying.      We'll  beat  thjm  yet.  Kiep 
at  it,  ye  beauties.     Keep  at  it." 

And  so  Fergus  talked  to  them,  hope  rising  high  within 
him  as  slowly  but  steadily  his  cariole  drew  up  to  Mr. 
liarnston's.  He  felt  strongly  tempted  to  shout  to  lus 
opponent : 

"  What  do  you  think  of  my  elephants  now?  "  But  his 
better  sense  kept  him  quiet ;  and  a  moment  later  he  idt 
glad  that  he  had  nc;t  sp-oken,  for  a  sudden  pitch  taking  him 
unawares,  threw  him  off  his  feet.  Happily,  as  he  fell  he 
caught  the  edge  of  the  cariole  with  one  hand  and  held 
on  pluckiiy,  while  the  dogs  dragged  him  over  the  sikav 
until  the  Indian  boy,  at  the  risk  of  a  complete  upset, 
leaned  over  the  back,  and  grasping  his  other  hand,  suc- 
ceeded in  helping  him  back  w  his  place. 

Wdiile  this  was  happening  his  team  lost  ground  again, 
and  there  was  only  a  (juarter  of  a  mile  yet  to  he  run. 
Mr.  [}arnston*s  spirits  rose  once  more.  The  race  still 
seemed  in  hi.-,  hands. 

lUit  he  did  not  reali;:e  what  splendid  stuf^  there  was  in 
Fergus*  tea  a.  The  moment  thty  were  relieved  from  the 
temporary  check,  and  heard  ids  voice  again  urging  tliein 
on  earnestly,  they  leaped  forward  as  fresh  almost  as  at 
the  .start.  No  longer  was  there  any  doubt  as  to  tiic  re- 
sult. Foot  by  foot  and  yard  by  yard  the  powr'rful  ( lea- 
tures  gained  upon  their  panting  opponents  In  tme 
minute  they  were  neck  and  nee  k  with  them.  In  anotlur 
they  were  ahead,  arid  presently  there  was  clear  space  be- 
tween Fergus  and  the  white  'Mbregoer."  Mr.  liarn-lun 
might  shout  and  lasli  with  all  his  strength.      It  was  of  ao 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


1G9 


^•earying, 
et.  Keep 

?li  within 
-)  to  Mr. 
It   to  his 

P>ut  his 
■r  he  icit 
•king  him 
le  fell  lie 
.md  held 
he  siKjw 
to  ujiset, 
md,  Mic- 

•d  again. 

l)e  run. 

race  still 

'e  was  in 
from  tlie 
ng  them 
)st  as  at 
0  the  re- 
in! (iea- 
lii  one 
another 
ijiuce  lie- 
^arn-ton 
as  of  .10 


avail.  Bounding  steadily,  strongly  forward,  Bruce  and 
his  grand  team-mates  ])ore  Fergus  on  to  vie  tory  ;  aud 
amid  the  cheers  of  the  staff  and  the  wlioops  of  the  In- 
dians, he  swept  swiftly  up  to  the  winning  post,  a  winner 
l)V  more  than  twenty  yards. 

Everybody  except  Mr.  Barnston  was  delighted,  and  he, 
in  spite  of  his  disappointment,  showed  that  he  had  the 
right  kind  of  spirit  in  him  by  going  up  to  Fergus  at  once, 
and  .giving  him  a  warm  handshake  of  congratulation. 

"You  beat  me  fairly,  Fergus,"  said  he.  "  I'm  satis- 
fied tliat  my  Huskies  are  not  (piite  equal  to  your  ele]>hants; 
hui  I  believe  we've  got  the  two  best  teams  in  the  district 
between  us,  anyway." 

Fergus  felt  immensely  proud  of  his  victory.  Fie  gave 
each  of  his  dogs  in  turn  a  hearty  hug  by  way  of  express- 
ing h\>  (leliglit,  and  they  on  their  part  evideiiily  quite 
ajipreciated  his  caresses.  As  soon  as  they  got  back  to  the 
Fort,  he  had  ra[)anakes  pre[)are  a  big  potful  of  savory 
huftalo  beef  stew,  and  getting  four  plates  from  the  house 
he  gave  his  pets  the  most  bountiful  feed  tliey  ever  had  in 
their  lives,  a  regular  blow-out  in  fact,  which  went  far  to 
comiKUsate  them  for  the  scanty  fare  they  were  compelled 
tu  imt  u})  with  while  they  were  in  training  for  the  contest. 
They  ([uickly  i)olished  their  plates,  and  then  stretched 
out  mon  the  old  buffalo  rol)es  \\hich  formed  their 
beds,  the  most  contented,  amiably  disnobed  animals  in 
creation. 

There  was,  of  course,  nuich  talk  about  the  ra(  e  for 
some  tune  after,  and,  as  was  natural,  other  owners  of 
dog-teams  were  stirred  up  to  try  <  one  lusions  with  who- 
ever would  oppose  them,   so  that  every  fine  day  for  the 


170 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


rest  of  the  month,  there  was  a  contest  of  some  kind  that 
helped  to  break  the  monotony  of  the  winter. 

In  the  course  of  one  of  the  many  conver-sations  Ferrous 
and  Mrs.  Oiden  had  together,  she  began  talking  about 
races,  and  described  to  him  the  different  kinds  of  ^uch 
contests  that  she  had  seen  when  at  home — boat-races, 
horse-races,  foot-races,  and  so  forth.  Fergus  grew  deejily 
interested.  His  nature  was  one  that  delighted  in  in[e:i,se 
endeavor,  aiid  craved  excitement.  Had  his  home  been  in 
a  city,  he  would  certainly  have  been  an  entliusia-tio 
member  of  some  athletic  organization,  and  have  been 
tr\  ing  hard  for  prizes  and  records.  But  there  was  little 
field  for  such  things  at  Norway  House.  The  otficials  and 
clerks  were  all  too  much  his  seniors  to  be  bothered  bv  c  ora- 
peting  with  him  except  as  Mr.  Barnston  had  done;  and 
as  for  the  Indians,  they  were  mostly  a  poor  lot,  and  of 
no  use  either  as  companions  or  comi)etitors. 

Fergus  was  saying  something  to  this  effect  when  Mrs. 
01de)i  said : 

''There  is  one  race,  Fergus,  that  you  can  run  just  as 
well  here,  if  not  indeed  better,  than  if  you  lived  in  a 
large  city,  where  there  are  so  many  di.^tractions  and 
temptations  from  which  you  are  entirely  free  at  Norway 
House." 

"  What  rac:e  may  that  be,  Mrs.  Olden  ?  "  asked  Fergus. 
with  quick  interest. 

"  The  race  that  St.  Paul  meant  when  he  said,  *  Let  u-> 
rnn  witli  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us." 
answered  Mrs.  Olden,  lookim/  earnestlv  into  the  frank. 
bright  countenance  before  her. 

*'  But  Fin  not  sure  that  1  just  understand  what  St.  Paul 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISII. 


171 


did  mean,  Mrs.   Olden/'  said  Fergus,  with  a  puzzled 
expression. 

This  was  just  the  opportunity  Mrs.  Olden  wanted,  and 
.she  sought  to  make  the  .nost  of  it. 

•'Perhaps  I  can  make  it  clear  to  you,  Fergus,"  said 
she,  '*  if  you  don't  mind  letting  me  do  all  the  talking  for 
a  white. 

Fergus  was  always  glad  to  listen  to  the  missionary's 
wife.  She  had  a  bright  impressive  way  of  putting  things, 
and  lier  voice  was  full  of  music.  He  sometimes  thought 
tiuit  she  would  make  as  good  a  missionary  as  her  husbar.d, 
if  ^he  (hose  to  learn  the  Cree  language,  and  said  so  to 
h.r  once,  thereby  paying  her,  she  told  hun,  one  of  the 
hand.-iomest  compliments  she  had  ever  received.  He  now 
s. tiled  himself  back  in  his  chair  and  prepared  to  give  her 
the  closest  attention. 

"The  whole  passage,  you  remember,  Fergus,"  Mrs. 
Olden  began,  "is  this:  'Wherefore,  seeing  we  also  are 
couipassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  let  us 
ia\  aside  every  weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily 
be^et  us,  and  let  us  ran  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set 
before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of 
our  faith.'  What  St.  Paul  had  in  mind  when  he  wrote 
those  stirring  words  were  the  great  games  which  were 
held  every  year  in  diffeient  places  throughout  the  Roman 
Empire,  wiien  in  those  splendid  amphitheatres  and  circuses, 
the  ruins  of  which  perhaps  you  may  see  some  day,  Fergus, 
—fur  1  havea  feeling  that  your  longings  to  see  the  wonder- 
ful world  from  which  we  are  now  shut  out  are  to  be  gratified 
before  you  are  an  old  man, — races  were  run  by  men  and 
liorses,  amid  the  wild  shoutings  of  the   \d->i   nuiltitude 


172 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


looking  down  into  the  arena  from  the  tiers  ot  marble 
seats.  I  don't  suppose  he  ever  took  part  in  any  of  tho-e 
races  liimsclf,  but  no  doubt  he  had  seen  many  of  them 
and  perhaps  got  just  as  excited  over  them  as  your  father 
got  over  your  race  with  Mr.  Barnston.  Now,  no  runner 
couid  ever  hope  to  succeed  in  those  races  who  had  not 
carefully  trained  himself  for  it,  just  as  you  trained  your 
dogs  for  your  race. 

**  The  greatest  self-denial  was  absolutely ntccssar}, and 
plenty  of  hard  work  in  addition.  Besides  that,  ikj  <  um- 
petitor  would  be  so  foolish  as  to  run  in  his  evervday 
garments.  They  would  be  too  heavy  and  cumbersome, 
So  just  the  merest  shred  of  clothing  around  the  wai  t  was 
all  the  runners  wore  when  they  appeared  in  the  arena 
ready  for  the  struggle.  And  it  must  have  been  intensely 
exciting  to  watch  them,  Fergus.  I  think  I  would  like  to 
have  seen  one  of  those  games  myself." 

*'  And  so  wad  I,"  cried  Fergus,  his  face  all  aglow  at  the 
idea. 

"It  maun  hae  been  a  grand  sight  altogether." 

*'  Have  you  ever  thought,  Fergus,"  asked  Mrs.  Olden, 
smiling  sympathetically  at  his  eagerness,  "  that  there  is  a 
race  for  all  of  us  to  run  ;  that  this  whole  world  is  the 
amphitheatre,  and  that  the  angels  of  God  are  the  specta- 
tors ? ' ' 

Fergus'  brown  eyes  opened  wide.  So  wonderful  a 
thought  had  never  stirred  his  brain  before,  and  it  was  too 
vast  to  be  grasi)ed  at  once.  He  shook  his  head  in  a  be- 
wildered way. 

"  No,  ma'am,"  he  answered,  slowly.  **  I  never  thought 
of  that — and  is  it  truly  so?  " 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


173 


"It  is  so,  Fergus,"  replied  Mrs.  Olden,  ''and  that  is 
just  what  St.  Paul  means — that  is  the  race  he  wants  us  to 
run  with  patience." 

The  matter  was  evidently  not  very  clear  to  Fergus  yet, 
so  Mrs.  Olden  went  on  : 

"  Tiic  race  that  St.  Paul  means  is  the  Christian  life, 
Fer-,ais.  We  all  ought  to  enter  for  that  race,  oughtn't 
wc?  And  if  we  do,  there  are  certain  conditions  that  we 
must  fulfill  just  as  the  apostle  said  the  runners  had  to  do. 
They  had  to  deny  themselves  good  things  to  eat,  had  to 
take  a  great  deal  of  exercise  whether  they  liked  it  or  not, 
and  when  they  were  running  they  could  not  wear  any 
fine  clothes,  lest  they  should  become  entangled  in  them, 
and  so  lose  the  race. 

"  How  is  it  now  with  us  if  we  would  take  part  in  the 
Christian  race  ?  We  are  to  run  *  looking  unto  Jesus,'  and 
Jesus  has  said,  *  If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him 
deny  himself;'  so  you  see  we  are  like  the  runners  of  old 
in  that.  Then  St.  Paul  says :  '  laying  aside  every  weight,' 
hy  which  of  course  he  means  anything  that  would  hinder 
u^  from  l)eing  good  Christians.  You  remember  about 
the  young  ruler  who  came  to  Jesus  to  ask  what  he  should 
do  to  inherit  eternal  life,  and  who  claimed  to  have  kej)t 
all  the  commandments  from  his  youth  up,  whi(  h,  if  it 
was  true,  meant  that  he  had  done  a  great  deal  of  self-de- 
nial, and  so  had  fulfilled  the  first  condition  of  the  race 
whose  prize  is  eternal  life.  But  the  keen  eye  of  the 
Master  saw  that  he  had  a  golden  weiglit  dragging  behind 
liim.  and  he  told  him  to  sell  all  that  he  had,  and  distribute 
unto  the  poor;  and  the  young  ruler,  rather  than  lay  aside 
the  weight,  gave  up  the  race,  and  went  away  very  sorrow- 


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174 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


ful.  Now,  everybody  who  takes  part  in  this  race  has  a 
weight  of  some  kind  to  lay  aside.  You  have  it,  and  I 
have  it,  but  of  course  it  is  not  the  same  with  each  of  us; 
and  do  you  know,  Fergus,  one  of  the  most  frequent  and 
hurtful  mistakes  made  by  those  who  run  is  trying  to  ^ct 
along  while  still  holding  on' to  the  weight.  They  cannot 
bear  to  lay  it  a.side,  they  are  so  fond  of  it,  and  they  gu 
limping  along  the  Christian  course,  doing  no  good  to 
others,  and  having  little  happiness  themselves.  '  Lav 
aside  ^Z'^ry  weight '  are  the  great  apostle's  words ;  'and 
the  sin  which  doth  so  easily  beset  us.'  Whether  tluit  ir; 
selfishness,  pride,  temper,  greed,  whatever  it  is,  we  mu>t 
shake  ourselves  free  from  it  if  we  want  to  run  well,  j:s: 
as  the  racers  in  the  arena  threw  off  their  oater  ^ar- 
ments." 

Fergus  was  listening  with  absorbed  attention.  Mr-. 
Oklen's  sweet,  simple,  earnest  talk  seemed  to  hiin  the 
best  sermon  he  had  ever  heard  in  his  life.  It  stirred  him 
deeply. 

"  But,  Mrs.  Olden,"  he  said,  ''are  God's  angels tnily 
looking  down  at  those  who  ?re  running  the  Chri.-tian 
race?" 

"They  are,  indeed,  Fergus,"  Mrs.  Olden  answer  d. 
"I  believe  that  Ood's  angels  are  always  near  us  ifwc 
want  them  to  be ;  and  does  not  St.  Paul  say,  referring  to 
the  glorious  list  he  had  just  given  of  God's  heroes,  fro  n 
Abraham  down  to  the  martyrs  of  his  own  time,  •  \Vh  r- 
fore,  seeing  we  also  are  c<)m])assed  al)out  with  so  i;reai  i 
cloud  of  witnessv  s,'  just  as  if  lie  could  see  Al)raham,  and 
Jacob,  and  Moses,  and  David,  and  Stephen,  looking' 
down  upon  him  while  he  ran  ?  " 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


175 


stirred  him 


"I  wad  like  so  much  to  see  the  angels,"  murmured 
Fergus,  as  it"  speaking  to  himself. 

"Would  you,  Fergus?  Well,  so  you  can,  and  so  you 
will,  if  you  run  this  race  which  has  eternal  life  for  its 
jrizc;  for  remember,  it  is  very  different  from  the  contests 
we  have  down  here.  When  you  and  Mr.  Barnston  raced, 
cne  of  you  had  to  be  disappointed  ;  you  could  not  both 
win.  But  in  the  Christian  race  there  is  a  prize  for  every- 
body who  perseveres.  There  are  no  disappointments  to 
those  who  do  their  best,  no  matter  how  many  they  may 
be.  'So  run  that  ye  may  obtain,'  wrote  St.  Paul  to 
the  Corinthians,  and  that  is  the  way  you  want  to  run, 
i.^n't  it,  Fergus?" 

"Ay,  ma'am,  it  is,"  answered  Fergus,  looking  very 
serious. 

"Weil,  Fergus,  the  soop.er  you  begin  the  race,  the 
easier  it  will  be  for  you  to  run  well.  Just  think  about  it, 
Fergus  dear,  and  pray  to  him  who  is  the  author  and  fin- 
isher of  our  faith  to  make  your  way  clear.  It  is  a  glorious 
thing  to  be  taking  ])art  in  the  Christian  race." 

"And  to  have  the  angels  looking  down  at  you,"  added 
Fergus,  upon  whose  active  imagination  this  thought  had 
takrn  peculiar  hold. 

"  Ves,  Fergus,  and  not  only  the  angels,  but  the  Creator 
of  the  angels  and  of  men,  holding  out  the  i)rize  of  eternal 
life  to  all  who  run  well."  And  then  taking  both  of 
Fergus'  hands  in  hers,  Mrs.  Olden  looked  earnestly  into 
his  eyes,  saying  s'owly  :   **  So  run  that  ye  may  obtain." 

This  conversation  made  a  profoimd  impression  ujion 
Fergus.  It  brought  the  question  of  religion  before  him 
in  a  new  light,  and  gave  it  an  attractiveness  it  had  never 


17G 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


i  t 


had  before.  The  figure  of  a  race  applied  to  the  Christian 
life  tickled  his  fancy,  so  to  speak,  and  appealed  to  his  am- 
bition. He  had  a  long  talk  with  his  mother  tiiat  night. 
when,  as  was  her  custom,  she  came  into  his  room  bctore 
he  had  gone  to  sleep,  to  bid  him  "good-night."  He 
repeated  as  much  as  he  could  of  Mrs.  Olden's  conversa- 
tion, and  then  asked  abruptly : 

**  Mother,  are  you  running  this  race?  " 

**I  hope  so,  dearie,"  replied  Mrs.  MacTavish.  ''I 
have  always  tried  to  do  what  was  right." 

*'  And  is  father  too,  mother?  " 

**Aye,  surely,  Fergus;  your  father  is  a  gude  man,  if 
ever  there  was  one."  And  Mrs.  MacTavish's  focc  grew 
bright  with  affjctionate  pride. 

"Then,  mother,  I'm  going  to  begin  right  away,  s) 
that  we'll  all  be  in  the  race  together.  And  just  think  uf 
it  !  "  he  exclaimed,  rising  up  in  bed  in  his  enthusiasm  at 
the  idea,  "  the  angels  of  God  are  looking  down  at  us.  ami 
Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith,  is  waiting  to 
give  us  the  prize  of  eternal  life  !  Oh,  mother,  isn't  it 
splendid?  I'm  so  glad  that  Mrs.  Olden  explained  it  all 
to  me." 

Mrs.  MacTavish  gazed  at  her  boy  with  feelings  of 
mingled  admiration  and  awe.  She  had  never  heard  him 
talk  like  that  before.  She  bent  down  and  kissed  his 
glowing  face,  saying : 

"  Eh,  Fergus  dearie,  those  are  big  thoughts  for  you  to 
have,  but  they're  gude  on-.^s.  It's  proud  you're  father 
and  mother  will  be  of  you  some  day,  if  God  spares  you 
to  be  a  man." 

Fergus'  big  thoughts  kept  him  awake  for  some  tinu' 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


177 


after  his  mother  left  him,  and  then  he  fell  asleep  and 
dreamed  that  he  was  one  of  the  competitors  in  a  race 
which  was  taking  place  before  a  great  crowd  of  spectators, 
that  seemed  to  him  to  be  angels ;  and  while  he  was 
'vaiting  for  the  signal  to  start,  he  gazed  eagerly  into  the 
crowd,  and  there  were  Mrs.  Olden  and  Ruth  smiling  ten- 
derly upon  him.  They  looked  like  angels  too,  and  even 
in  his  dream  this  greatly  troubled  him,  for  he  wondered 
ilthey  had  died,  and  gone  away  from  Norway  House  for- 
ever; and  such  grief  did  this  idea  cause  him,  that  he 
awoke,  to  find  that  it  was  only  a  dream,  after  all. 

But  his  new  resolution  did  not  vanish  as  did  the  dream. 
That  long  talk  with  Mrs.  Olden  was  a  crisis  in  his  life. 
However  he  might  stumble,  or  perchance  slip  a  step  back- 
Av.rd  in  the  course  of  the  Christian  life,  thenceforward  he 
was  never  out  of  the  race ;  and  many  a  time  the  remem- 
brance of  the  angelic  onlookers  helped  him  to  victory  in 
hard-fought  conflicts  with  self  and  sin. 

The  month  of  February  had  ended,  and  March  was 
just  hegun,  when  Mr.  MacTavish  announced  his  inteniion 
of  going  down  to  the  headquarters  of  the  Com})any,  at 
Red  River.  He  had  some  important  business  communi- 
cations to  make  to  the  chief  factor  at  that  post,  which 
(ould  not  wait  until  summer  time ;  and  the  trip  would 
have  to  be  made  before  the  sun  became  warm  enough  to 
have  any  effect  upon  the  snow. 

As  soon  as  Fergus  heard  of  it,  he  begged  to  be  j)er- 
mitted  to  go  too ;  and  his  father  very  readily  consented. 
A  hoy  who  owned  such  a  team  of  dogs  as  he  did,  and  could 
drive  them  as  well,  was  certain  to  j^rove  a  good  deal  more 
"t  aht  Ip  than  a  hindrance.     Ruth  would  have  liked  very 

M 


178 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


much  to  join  the  party  also,  but  of  course  that  was  not  to 
be  considered. 

A  couple  of  days  sufficed  to  make  the  necessary  jirerw 
arations.  The  carioles  were  thoroughly  overhauled,  the 
sets  of  harness  carefully  examined,  and  the  best  dn^rs 
picked  from  the  packs  to  make  up  the  teams.  Much  to 
everybody's  surjjrise,  Mr.  Barnston  offered  the  chief 
trader  the  loan  of  his  fine  team  of  Esquimaux. 

**  Since  Fergus  is  going  to  take  his  elephants,"  said  he, 
smiling  pleasantly,  **my  Huskies  may  as  well  go  too.  It 
will  do  them  good.  They've  been  idle  nearly  all  winter; 
and  I  know  you'll  take  as  good  care  of  them  as  I  wcaiM 
myself. ' ' 

**Aye,  that  I  will,  Mr.  Barnston,"  said  Mr.  Mac 
Tavish,  heartily.  *'  And  its  verra  glad  I  am  to  aceei  t 
your  kind  offer ;  for  none  of  my  own  dogs  can  compare 
wi'  your  bonnie  fellows." 

Besides  the  two  champion  teams,  as  they  nii^ht  he 
called,  two  others  would  be  taken  to  drag  the  freij^ht 
sledges  carrying  the  j)rovisions,  and  the  big  buffalo  rohes 
for  sleeping  in  all  night.  Papanakes  and  Alec  Grant 
were  to  be  the  drivers,  and  they  with  Fergus  and  his 
father  made  up  the  party.  Speed  was  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish's  object,  and  the  smaller  his  party  the  mere 
quickly  would  he  get  to  Red  River,  and  back  to  Norway 
House. 

The  start  was  made  on  a  most  favorable  dav  in  the  ]\- 
ginning  of  the  second  week  of  March,  and  the  train  of 
sledges  presented  a  very  picturesque  aj)pcarance  a^ 
it  filed  out  of  the  Fort,  and  turned  toward  tic 
South.     Mr.  MacTavish  took  the  lead,  his  snow  white 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


179 


:  was  not  to 


foregoer  trotting  along  with  his  head  carried  high, 
and  his  bushy  tail  curled  tightly  over  his  back,  the  very 
picture  of  canine  consequence.  Next  came  Fergus, 
his  s[)lcndid  quartet  moving  like  machines,  so  regular 
and  even  was  their  gait.  Then  the  two  freight  sledges 
in  charge  of  the  Indian  and  the  half-breed,  both  drawn 
by  excellent  well-trained  teams,  that  would  do  their 
work  ahnost  as  well  as  their  leaders. 

In  those  far  Northern  regions  a  great  deal  of  pride  is 
taken  in  the  fitting  out  of  a  dog-team,  and  as  much 
deioration  is  bestowed  upon  the  scanty  harness  as  it  will 
bear.  Fergus'  dogs,  for  instance,  looked  as  gay  as  har- 
lequins, thanks  to  the  beads,  bells,  and  ribbons  that  had 
been  lavished  upon  them,  and  the  other  teams  were 
hardly  less  adorned,  so  that  there  was  no  lack  of  either 
color  or  sound,  as  they  trotted  along  the  well-beaten 
track,  leaving  rapidly  behind  the  little  group  that  had 
come  out  to  the  top  of  Flag  Staff  Hill  to  see  them  off. 

Fergus  was  in  the  seventh  heaven  of  delight.  This 
would  be  his  first  visit  to  the  Red  River  Settlement,  and 
he  looked  forward  with  eager  expectation  to  seeing  more 
of  the  world  than  he  had  ever  done  before.  The  more 
he  heard  from  the  Oldens  of  life  in  the  cities  of  Canada, 
the  greater  was  his  longing  to  see  it  for  himself,  and  a 
spirit  of  restlessness  was  growing  within  him  which 
would  only  be  satisfied  by  the  realization  of  his  desire. 
Mrs.  Olden  spoke  truly  when  she  prophesied  that  he 
would  surely  see  some  of  the  wonders  of  the  world,  if 
he  grew  up  to  manhood,  unless  indeed  Providence 
should  decree  otherwise. 

Sitting  back  in  his  comfortable  cariole,  wrapped  in 


f- 

3  ■ 

180 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


rich  warm  furs,  and  cracking  his  whip  gently  in  the  air 
simply  for  amusement,  as  he  never  allowed  the  ksh  to 
touch  the  back  of  o  ^  of  his  dogs,  there  was  not  a  bov 
in  Canada  that  mig  not  have  envied  him  ;  and  there 
certainly  was  not  one  with  whom,  just  then,  he  woiiM 
have  changed  places.  He  felt  as  happy  as  a  lark  at  sun- 
rise, and  the  merry  tinkling  of  the  bells  seemed  the 
sweetest  of  music  to  his  ears. 

The  track  was  so  well  beaten  all  the  way  down  Play 
Green  Lake  to  Lake  Winnipeg,  that  the  dogs  needed  no 
guiding ;  and  Papanakes  and  Alec  had  an  easy  time  of 
it,  lying  luxuriously  on  top  of  the  baggage,  their  pipes  in 
full  blast,  and  seeming  to  enjoy  the  ride  quite  as  much 
as  Fergus  himself. 

To  one  whose  first  experience  of  travel  by  ^hg-sledge 
was  such  a  setting  forth  as  this,  on  a  fine  winter  after 
noon,  when  the  thermometer  was  only  ten  degrees  or  su 
below  zero,  it  might  well  appear  to  be  the  very  poetry  of 
locomotion.  But  a  further  acquaintance  with  it  would 
inevitably  cause  a  complete  change  of  mind. 

When  a  cruel  wind  is  blowing  right  in  the  traveler's 
teeth ;  when  the  cold  is  of  such  intensity  that  an  instant's 
exposure  of  the  face  means  the  turning  of  nose  and  cheek 
to  marble ;  when  the  track  is  hard  and  rough,  and  the  un- 
dulations of  the  cariole,  as  it  adapts  itself  to  the  ine- 
qualities of  the  surface  beneath  it,  give  its  occupant  the 
sensation  of  being  dragged  over  a  gravel  walk  upon  a 
blanket ;  or  still  worse,  when  the  track  is  completily 
snowed  up,  and  the  poor  dogs,  almost  exhausted  and  be- 
wildered by  the  storm,  have  "struck,"  and  literally 
''dropped  in  their  tracks,"  refusing  to  budge  another 


FFEGUS   MAC    TAVISH. 


181 


Step  until  the  merciless  whip  of  the  driver  stings  them 
into  si>asmodic  efforts,  painful  to  witness  ; — then  all  the 
poetry  vanishes,  and  the  traveler  heartily  wishes  himselt 
at  tlie  end  of  his  journey. 

No  thought  of  this  kind  bothered  Fergus,  however,  as 
he  shouted  gayly  to  his  father  : 

"Give  us  a  gude  lead,  father,  or  I'll  run  you  down,'* 
and  pretended  to  whip  up  his  dogs  as  if  to  carry  out  his 
threat.  He  saw  nothing  but  pleasure  ahead,  and  the 
thief  trader  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  cast  any  dam- 
\€T  Upon  his  spirits  by  hinting  at  the  certain  discomforts 
and  possible  dangers  that  were  before  them. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


EN   ROUTE   TO   RED   RIVER. 


THE  sledge  party  kept  on  steadily  across  Play  Green 
Lake,  and  through  the  strait  separating  it  frum 
Lake  Winnipeg,  until  the  vast  white  plain  of  this  great 
body  of  water  opened  out  before  them.  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish  then  turned  in  toward  the  shore,  and  called  a  halt 
in  a  little  cove  where  the  woods  came  close  to  the  ice. 

<<  We'll  bide  here  for  the  night,"  said  he,  getting  out 
of  his  cariole,  "and  make  an  early  start  in  the  morn- 
ing. 

Papanakes  and  Alec  at  once  set  to  work  to  loosen  the 
dogs,  and  to  gather  firewood.  As  soon  as  the  dugs  were 
freed  from  the  harness  they  proceeded  to  have  a  goud 
roll  on  the  snow,  and  then  took  up  their  position  in  a 
sort  of  irregular  circle  about  the  men,  waiting  patiently 
to  be  fed. 

It  was  not  long  before  a  fine  fire  was  crackling  away 
cheerfully,  the  pot  of  tea  bubbling  over  it,  and  the  appe- 
tizing odor  of  frying  pemmican  filling  the  air.  As  the 
keen-nosed  dogs  caught  the  tempting  scent,  they  began 
to  bark  in  a  short,  imperious  way  that  was  very  amusing. 
Had  they  tongues  to  speak,  they  would  have  said  : 

**Do  be  quick  with  our  supper,  will  you?  We're 
just  starving." 

In  order  to  ensure  being  allowed  to  eat  their  meal 
without  interruption,  Mr.  MacTavish  told  Alec  to  feed 
182 


FERGUS   .>IAC   TAVISH. 


183 


the  faithful  animals  first.  This  was  not  a  prolonged 
opei alien.  The  load  of  one  of  the  freiglit  sledges  con- 
sisted of  dried  whitefish,  solely  for  the  dogs ;  and  the 
moment  Alec  removed  the  coverings  they  crowded  about 
him  like  a  lot  of  street  Arabs,  begging  for  coppers.  With 
his  hatchet,  Alec  hacked  the  fish  into  lumps  that  looked 
liig  enough  to  choke  the  biggest  of  the  dogs ;  l)ut  as 
each  one  got  his  piece  there  was  a  sharp  snap,  a  vigor- 
uus  munching,  an  eager  swallow,  and  lo  !  the  lump  had 
disai)peared,  and  the  dog,  like  little  Oliver  Twist,  was 
asking  for  more.  Two  pounds  apiece  was  the  regular 
ration  ;  and  when  the  creatures  realized  that  no  more 
could  be  gotten,  they  curled  up  in  the  snow  to  sleep 
until  they  should  be  wakened  for  another  day's  hauling. 

By  the  time  they  were  fed  the  tea  and  pemmican  were 
ready  for  their  masters ;  and  with  such  appetites  as 
only  that  keen  winter  air  could  create,  the  four  gathered 
clo>e  to  the  blazing  fire,  and  gave  very  earnest  attention 
to  the  simple,  but  substantial  provision  of  pemmican,  tea 
and  biscuits,  which  would  form  the  unvarying  items  on 
their  bill  of  fare,  three  times  a  day,  until  they  reached 
Red  River. 

The  biscuits,  indeed,  were  a  special  luxury  that  only 
those  who  traveled  with  Mr.  MacTavish  were  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  enjoy.  On  his  voyage  out  from  Scotland,  he 
had  become  very  fond  of  the  ship's  biscuit,  and  re- 
nkiiibcred  it  so  well  that  when,  many  years  afterward, 
it  \v:is  in  his  power  to  gratify  his  taste  ]^y  having  them 
b^ou^dlt  to  York  Factory  for  him  by  the  annual  ship,  he 
made  arrangements  to  have  half  a  dozen  bags  sent  liim 
every  year;  and  these    he  religiously  preserved  for  his 


184 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


r 


winter  traveling,  when  they  were  particularly  timely  and 
highly  appreciated. 

Supper  over,  a  large  pile  of  dry  wood  was  gathered 
and  cut,  ready  for  tlie  fire,  the  sleeping  robes  were  got- 
ten out,  Mr.  MacTavish  saw  that  Fergus  was  snugK 
wrapped  up  in  his  big  buffalo-skin  blanket,  the  men 
smoked  a  final  pipe,  replenished  the  fire,  and  then  everv- 
body  followed  the  example  of  the  dogs  and  curled  up 
for  a  good  sleep. 

Those  who  have  never  slept  under  the  open  sky,  or 
whose  only  experience  of  it  has  been  a  midsummer 
camping-out,  might  not  easily  understand  how  a  human 
being  conld  be  comfortable  in  an  atmosphere  ten  de- 
grees below  zero,  with  a  snow-bank  for  a  mattress,  and  a 
buffalo  robe  for  bedclothes.  Nevertheless,  Fergus  slejit 
on  as  soundly  as  though  he  had  been  in  his  own  cosv 
bed  at  the  Fort,  and  did  not  know  until  the  morning 
that  his  big  pet,  Bruce,  had  crept  quietly  over  to  his 
side,  thereby  making  him  all  the  warmer. 

It  was  a  good  while  yet  to  daylight,  when  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish threw  off  his  robe,  and  roused  the  sleeping  men. 
Early  to  bed,  early  to  rise,  has  no  better  illustration  than 
in  the  winter  traveling  of  the  North;  for  among  the 
perils  of  the  journey,  especially  as  spring  approaches,  is 
snow-blindness,  caused  by  the  sun's  rays  striking  up  from 
the  spotless  wastes  of  snow,  and  to  avoid  this,  those 
who  are  prudent  do  the  most  of  their  traveling  in  the 
morning  and  evening,  going  into  camp  for  the  hours  ol 
dazzling  sunshfne. 

Ugh  !  how  cold  it  was  !  and  how  reluctant  Fergus  felt 
to  turn  out  of  his  warm  robes,  and  have  the  sharp  air 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


185 


strike  him  on  every  side  !  He  almost  wished  he  had  not 
come,  and  looked  so  blue  and  miserable  that  his  father 
said,  jokingly  : 

"  Ye're  feelin'  the  cold,  laddie,  I  see.  Aiblins  ye're 
wishin'  yersel  back  at  Norway  House.  Well,  it's  no  too 
late,  ye  ken.  If  ye  just  turn  yer  dogs'  noses  in  that  di- 
rection they'll  take  ye  hame  in  gude  time  for  dinner. 
What  dae  ye  say,  Fergus?  " 

Fergus  shook  himself,  and  gave  a  scornful  laugh. 

"  Do  you  think  no  better  of  me  than  that,  father?  "  he 
answered.  ''  It's  fme  I'd  look  crawlin'  back  to  the  Fort 
with  no  better  excuse  than  that  I  could  na  stand  the 
cold." 

Mr.  MacTavish  came  up,  and  clapped  him  affection- 
ately on  the  back. 

''It's  but  jokin*  I  was,  laddie,"  said  he.  "I  ken 
richt  weel  that  ye've  no  mair  notion  of  going  back  than 
I  have." 

And  Fergus,  fully  paci^ed,  and  with  his  miserable 
feelings  entirely  dissipated,  went  cheerfully  off  to  see 
about  the  harnessing  of  his  dogs. 

This  harnessing  up  is  not  always  an  easy  matter.  The 
dogs  can  be  as  provoking  and  as  bothersome  to  catch  as 
cunning  horses  in  a  big  pasture,  so  that  sometimes 
precious  hours  are  lost  in  the  operation,  the  unhappy 
drivers  calling  their  tricky  animals  all  the  hard  names 
they  can  remember  or  invent.  It  is  told  of  one  dog,  a 
sullen,  morose,  long-legged,  white-haired  creature,  whose 
ability  as  a  *'  fore-goer  "  made  him  famous  throughout 
the  district,  that  when  out  of  harness  he  always  had  a 
rope  some  sixty  feet  long  attached  to  his  neck,  without 


pi  - 

K" 

186 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVJSH. 


which  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  catch  him.  Evon 
then  he  had  to  be  stalked  like  a  deer,  and  put  off  hi^ 
guard  before  the  rope  could  be  secured.  But  when  o:\ce 
the  collar  was  on  his  neck,  and  he  had  taken  his  place  at 
the  head  of  the  train,  he  was  an  unrivaled  leader. 

There  were  never  any  such  difficulties  with  the  dc's  of 
Fergus'  team.  They  were  always  ready  for  their  work. 
Mr.  13arnston's  Esquimaux  also  were  models  of  good  be- 
havior. But  the  other  two  teams  gave  trouble  occasion- 
ally during  the  journey,  and  then  all  hands  would  turn  to 
and  chase  them  until  they  gave  themselves  up  to  be 
harnessed. 

The  second  day  of  the  trip  promised  to  be  as  fine  as 
the  first. 

**  Eh,  Fergus,  but  we  maun  do  eighty  miles  at  leist 
ere  we  roll  up  in  our  buffaloes  the  night,"  said  the  chief 
trader,  rubbing  his  hands  together  to  warm  them  uj) after 
helping  to  harness. 

**  Eighty  miles,  father?"  exclaimed  Fergus.  ''Can 
we  go  so  far  as  that  in  one  day  ?  " 

*'Aye,  indeed,  laddie.  I've  done  it  mony  a  time 
when  the  track  was  gude  and  the  dogs  fresh,"  answered 
Mr.  MacTavish;  "and  I'll  be  verra  disappointed  if  we 
come  short  of  it  to-day." 

Fergus  did  a  little  mental  arithmetic,  and  then 
said  : 

"Eighty  miles  a  day!  Why,  father,  at  that  rate  it 
would  take  us  only  five  days  to  get  to  Red  River. 
Wouldn't  that  be  splendid?  " 

"  Nae  doubt  it  would,  Fergus,"  returned  the  chief 
trader.   "  But  ye  maun  na  set  your  heart  upon  it.  There's 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


187 


mony  a  thing  that  might  delay  us ;  and  if  we  get  to  Red 
River  in  seven  days,  I'll  be  A'erra  well  content." 

''Well,  if  the  days  only  keep  fine  all  the  time,  perhaps 
we'll  be  able  to  do  it,"  suggested  Fergus,  who  was  greatly 
taken  with  the  idea  of  whisking  along  over  the  hard  snow 
at  the  rate  of  eighty  miles  a  day. 

"Maybe,  laddie,  maybe,"  answered  the  cautious 
veteran  of  a  hundred  trips  by  dog-train.  ''Did  ye  ask 
the  Lord's  blessing  on  our  journey,  Fergus  ?  " 

Fergus  blushed  to  the  roots  of  his  hair.  In  his  excite- 
ment and  joy  at  being  allowed  to  join  the  party,  he  had 
quite  forgotten  to  ask  for  the  divine  blessing  upon  the 
journey.  Indeed,  he  had  not  said  his  prayers  before 
goinLj  to  sleep  the  night  before,  nor  on  awaking  in  the 
morning. 

"  Xo,  father,  I  didn't,"  he  answered.  Then  looking 
arouiul.  and  seeing  that  the  men  had  not  yet  quite 
finished  packing  up,  he  slij)i)ed  away  behind  the  trees, 
and  throwing  himself  on  his  knees,  opened  his  heart  in 
prayer  to  God  for  his  protection  and  guidance  during 
their  absence  from  home.  He  had  just  finished,  when  he 
heard  his  father  calling  : 

'*  I'ergus  !  Fergus  !     Where  are  ye,  laddie  ?  " 

And  answering  like  Samuel,  "Here am  I, "he  came  forth 
from  his  retiring  i)lace  with  a  sweet  feeling  of  security  and 
jieace,  and  not  again  did  he  forget  his  {)rayers  during 
that  journey. 

Lake  Winnipeg's  chores  are  indented  with  big  ])ays  ; 
and  the  mode  of  traveling  over  its  snow-drifted  surfa(  e 
v.as  to  steer  from  headhinil  to  headland,  making  as 
straight  a  line  as  possible  between  the  two  points.   There 


188 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


was  no  track  after  once  they  got  well  out  upon  the  lake; 
but  when  the  headland  for  which  they  were  making  was 
well  in  sight,  this  mattered  little.  The  leader  in  tlie 
chief  trader's  team  was  a  dog  of  remarkable  sagacity,  and 
moreover  had  had  a  great  de;  '  of  experience.  So 
thoroughly  did  he  understand  his  work,  that  it  was  only 
necessary  to  point  his  head  in  the  direction  desired,  and 
let  him  know  what  was  wanted  of  him,  and  he  would 
steer  as  straight  a  course  as  a  surveyor  could  under  the 
same  circumstances. 

Where  the  headlands  were  so  far  apart  that  the  distant 
one  was  scarcely  visible,  this,  of  course,  could  not  be 
done;  and  then  it  became  necessary  for  Papanakes  or 
Alec  to  go  before  on  their  snow-shoes,  and  lay  out  a 
track.  The  way  these  men  would  swing  along  over  the 
snow  at  a  kind  of  jog-trot  for  hour  after  hour  without 
seeming  to  tire,  was  really  wonderful.  From  five  to  six 
miles  an  hour  were  easily  made  over  good,  firm  snow,  and 
taking  turns,  they  led  the  train  steadily,  swiftly  south- 
ward, toward  the  lower  end  of  the  lake. 

About  the  middle  of  the  morning,  when  the  sun  was 
brightest,  and  made  everybody's  eyes  ache,  Mr.  Mac 
Tavish  called  a  halt  at  a  headland  that  offered  plenty  of 
shade  from  the  blinding  glare.  A  big  fire  was  speedily 
built,  the  dogs  fed,  a  good  dinner  dispatched,  and  then 
the  buffalo  blankets  were  taken  out  and  all  hands  rolled 
up  for  a  sleep,  which  lasted  well  into  the  afternoon. 

Mr.  MacTavish,  as  usual,  was  the  first  to  awaken,  and 
he  soon  had  the  train  in  motion  again.  He  was  a  model 
traveler.  He  needed  no  alarm  clock  to  warn  him  of  the 
flight  of  the  hours.     It  was  his  boast  that  he  could  lie 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


189 


down  to  sleep,  and  wake  again  at  any  time  he  might  set 
for  himself,  whether  it  would  be  one  or  ten  hours,  and 
whenever  he  went  out  with  a  party  he  always  was  the  first 
to  move,  and  the  last  to  come  to  a  full  stop. 

When  the  sun  was  well  on  in  its  downward  path  they 
started  again,  keeping  the  same  order  as  at  the  first.  Fer- 
gus, iger  for  his  dogs  to  win  a  reputation  for  sense  as 
well  as  speed,  would  have  liked  very  miK  h  to  be  allowed  to 
take  the  lead  for  a  while;  but  his  father  did  not  approve. 

<'lf  we  had  no  need  to  hurry,  Fergus,"  said  he,  "I 
wad  have  no  objections,  but  I  do  not  want  to  lose  an 
hour  between  here  and  Red  River,  if  1  can  possibly  help 
it.  Maybe  on  our  way  home  you  can  try  your  dogs  at 
Icadincj." 

And  with  this  half-promise,  Fergus  was  fain  to  be 
content. 

Tlie  afternoon  passed  away  without  anything  of  note 
occurring.  Over  the  undulating  surface  of  the  frozen 
Like  the  sledges  kept  their  way  from  headland  to  head- 
land until  the  sun  sank  out  of  sight,  and  darkness  fell 
ujton  tlicm.  Then  a  halt  was  made  for  tea,  and  a  couple 
of  hours'  rest  before  resuming  the  journey. 

Wliile  they  were  sitting  around  the  fire,  all  but  Fergus 
enjoying  their  pipes,  th(?  heavens  became  full  of  the  glory 
of  the  Aurora  Borealis.  It  was  a  wonderful  display,  the 
whole  sky  being  ablaze  with  scintillating  bars  of  light 
that  flashed  and  glowed  with  a  splendor  >>f  ever-changing 
(olor,  and  radiance  of  beauty  beyond  all  power  of  words 
to  describe  or  pigments  to  ])icture. 

I'lTgns  had  seen  the  Aurora  many  times  before,  but 
never  had  it  seemed  so  magnifi(  ent,  so  awe-inspiring.    It 


t 


190 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


UK' 


was  as  though  the  veil  that  hides  the  true  heaven  from 
mortal  eye  had  been  for  the  time  a  little  withdrawn,  j  er- 
mitting  a  glimpse  to  be  had  of  the  majesty  of  light  that 
fills  the  abode  of  the  blest. 

**  Oh,  father  !  isn't  it  wonderful?  "  said  he,  in  an  awe- 
struck tone.     **  What  does  it  all  mean  ?  " 

**  If  you  were  to  ask  Papanakes,  Fergus,"  replied  the 
chief  trader,  glancing  across  the  fire  to  where  the  old 
Indian,  seated  upon  a  buffalo  robe  with  his  knees  drawn 
up  to  his  chin,  seemed  to  be  utterly  lost  to  everythiiiL: 
but  his  pipe  and  the  cheerful  blaze  before  him,  ''he 
would  tell  you  that  those  flashes  of  light  were  the  spirits 
of  his  forefathers  rus:  ing  out  to  the  ba*-tle,  or  the  hunt 
upon  the  happy  hunting  grounds,  which  are  the  Indian's 
notion  of  Paradise." 

**  And  do  the  Indians  really  believe  that,  father?" 
asked  Fergus,  in  a  tone  of  surprise. 

'*  Aye,  laddie,  they  do  if  I  understand  them  aright. 
Do  yon  think  it  strange  they  i;hould  ?  " 

"Well,  father,  i)lease  don't  laugh  at  me;  Init  vdii 
know  as  I  was  looking  up  at  the  sky  with  all  those  beauti- 
ful lights  in  it,  something  came  into  my  mind  that  was 
very  like  what  you  say  the  Indians  tliink." 

•*  And  what  was  that,  Fergus?  " 

**  Why,  you  knov/,  father,"  answered  Fergus,  somewhat 
hesitatingly,  "in  the  Bible  it  says  we  are  coni])asso(l 
about  with  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses,  and  Mrs.  Olden 
says  that  God's  angels  are  always  watching  ns  ;  and  so  I 
was  wondering  if  those  beai'.tiful  lights  \\\)  there  could  he 
coming  from  the  angels'  wings ;  for  you  know,  father. 
they  always  have  wings  in  the  pictures." 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


191 


in  an  awe- 


Mr.  MacTavish  leaned  over,  and  patted  his  son  lov- 
ingly upon  the  head. 

"  Those  are  big  thoughts  for  a  young  brain,  and  I 
anna  tell  how  far  from  right  they  be,  but  nae  doot  there's 
maer  o'  truth  in  them  than  in  the  notions  of  Paparakes, 
tor  he's  no  better  than  a  pagan,"  said  he,  gazing  up  at 
the  shafts  of  colored  flame  darting  across  the  blue  dome 
above. 

'•Poor  old  Papanakes  !  "  murmured  Fergus,  musingly. 
"  He's  going  to  be  something  better  than  a  pagan  some 
day,  father,  for  he  loves  to  listen  to  Mr.  Olden,  and 
hell  learn  to  be  a  Christian,  you  see  if  he  doesn't." 

"Maybe,  Fergus,  maybe;  but  Fm  no  verra  sure 
aboot  it,"  returned  the  chief  trader,  still  sceptical  as  to 
the  practical  value  of  Mr.  Olden's  work.  "It's  my 
notion  that  the  truths  of  the  gospel  are  oot  of  the 
creature's  reach ;  but  I  may  be  wrong,  I  may  be  wrong." 

"Father!"  exclaimed  Fergus,  starting  up,  *' Fm 
going  to  ask  Papaiiakes  what  he  thinks  about  the 
aurora."  And  going  around  the  fire  he  touched  the 
old  man  ou  the  shoulder,  and  pointing  to  the  brightly 
illuminated  sky,  asked  him  what  he  thought  it  meant. 

Papanakes  took  his  pipe  from  his  mouth,  rose  slowly 
to  his  feet,  and  scrutinized  the  sky  keenly. 

"Ugh!"  he  grunted,  in  a  tone  of  disgust.  **Heap 
h'v^  storm  coming.  Pad  business.  Plard  work  get 
ahead." 

Fergus  could  not  help  smiling.  He  had  questioned 
tlie  old  man  in  the  hope  of  getting  some  answer  from 
him  like  that  which  his  father  had  been  telling  him,  and 
instead,  all  he  received  was  a  weather  prediction. 


192 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


l! 


Papanakes  misunderstood  the  smile.  He  thouglit  it 
implied  disbelief  in  the  accuracy  of  his  forecast,  and  his 
quick  ire  was  roused. 

**  You  no  believe  me,"  he  cried,  indignantly.  '<  Pap- 
anakes know  what  him  say,  you  see.  Big  storm  come 
before  middle  of  to-morrow,  sure." 

'*  What's  that  you're  saying?  "  asked  Mr.  MacTavi^h, 
his  attention  being  attracted  by  the  Indian's  loud  tones. 

*'  Papanakes  says  we're  going  to  have  a  big  storm  be- 
fore the  middle  of  to-morrow,"  answered  Fergus. 

"Does  he?"  exclaimed  the  chief  trader.  '4'm 
verra  sorry  to  hear  it.  But  he's  more  likely  to  be  right 
than  wrong.  There's  nae  better  judge  of  the  wcalliei 
than  Papanakes.  We  maun  take  care  to  find  a  gude 
camping  place  before  the  storm  comes.  It  maun  na  catch 
us  oot  on  the  lake.  Come  noo,  let  us  be  off.  We've 
rested  lang  enough." 

The  dogs  were  called  and  harnessed,  the  sledges 
packed,  and  the  train  moved  off  under  the  scintillating 
gleams  of  the  aurora,  Papanakes  trotting  on  ahead  as, 
of  course,  the  dogs  would  not  be  expected  to  steer 
straight  in  the  dark.  The  wonderful  skill  of  the  old  In- 
dian as  a  guide  was  brilliantly  shown  in  the  unhesitating 
way  he  marked  out  the  track,  taking  his  bearings  alto- 
gether from  the  stars,  and  not  a  whit  bewildered  In  the 
aurora,  that  would  have  been  so  confusing  to  a  less  expe- 
rienced eye.  Hour  after  hour  he  trotted  along,  the  dugs 
following  him  with  unfaltering  step. 

It  was  about  ten  o'clock  when,  the  train  having 
reached  a  point  covered  thi''kly  with  firs  that  offered  a 
sheltered  camping  place,  Mr.  MacTavish  ordered  a  halt 


li^ 


FEKGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


193 


thoiiglit  it 
LSt,  and  his 

y.     *'  Pap. 
torm  come 

MacTavish, 
loud  tones, 
g  storm  be- 
rgiis. 
ier.      "I'm 

to  be  right 
the  weallici 
iind  a  gude 
aim  na  catch 

off.    We've 

the  sledges 
scintillating 
1  ahead  as, 
led  to  steer 
the  old  In- 
inhesitatiiifi 
Tings  aho- 
lered  l)y  tht' 
a  less  expc- 
>g,  the  dugs 

lain  having 
it  offered  a 
lered  a  halt 


for  the  night.  Alec  soon  had  a  big  fire  blazing  merrily, 
and  tlie  pot  boiling  in  its  midst ;  the  hungry  dogs  were 
fed,  and  then  their  masters  fed  themselves. 

<<  Do  you  think  the  storm  will  come  before  morning, 
father  ? ' '  asked  Fergus,  somewhat  anxiously,  as  they  sat 
bv  the  fire ;  for  he  did  not  at  all  relish  the  idea  of  strug- 
ghng  with  a  snow  storm  in  that  wild  region. 

"1  liardly  think  so,  Fergus;  though  I  canna  tell  for 
Mire,"  answered  the  chief  trader.  "But  ye  need  na 
worry  aboot  it.     We'll  get  through  it  all  right." 

When  the  chief  trader's  lusty,  ^'  leve  /  leve^''  aroused 
the  camp,  some  six  hours  later,  the  aurora  had  entirely 
winidied,  and  the  stars  were  hidden  behind  a  veil  of 
(luud.  The  dogs  seemed  restless;  Papanakes  and  Alec 
were  evidently  in  no  good  humor,  and  altogether  the 
]  rusj  c(  ts  for  the  day  were  anything  but  cheering. 

lergus  ielt  very  blue  also  ;  but  remembering  his  father's 
( hafling  the  day  before,  he  made  a  noble  effort  to  appear 
cheerful  and  unconcerned.  As  little  time  as  possible  was 
>^i  int  in  getting  breakfast.  Mr.  MacTavish,  who  knew 
i\ery  foot  of  the  route,  wished  to  reach  a  point  about 
ti.irty  miles  distant  before  stopping  for  the  midday  rest, 
and  he  exjjected  that  the  going  would  be  none  too  good, 
ti  e  portion  of  the  lake  they  had  to  traverse  being  one  of 
the  most  exposed,  and  pretty  sure  to  be  badly  drifted 
e\er. 

<  *\ving,  however,  to  the  uneasy  state  of  mind  shown 
hy  the  dogs,  the  harnessing  up  took  longer  than  usual, 
cuising  both  tlie  men  to  get  very  much  out  of  temper ; 
and  when,  at  last,  the  teams  did  get  started,  it  was  evident 
trom  tlic  chorus  of  growls  that  some  mistake  had  been 

1< 


194 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVI3H. 


\i  i 


made  in  hitching  up  Mr.  Barnston's  Esquimaux  in  tiie 
uncertain  light. 

But  whatever  was  wrong,  it  could  not  be  made  right 
until  they  reached  their  next  camping  place ;  and  so, 
amid  much  sharp  cracking  of  whips,  and  volleys  of  abuse 
from  the  two  guides,  the  train  moved  off  into  the  dark- 
ness, Fergus  crouching  down  on  his  furs,  for  there  wk 
a  very  penetrating  keenness  in  the  air  that  made  hi:n 
shiver ;  but  the  three  men  walked  on  snow-shoes  beside 
their  teams,  as  the  track  was  very  rough,  requiring  the:ii 
to  constantly  guard  against  an  upset. 

In  spite  of  his  care,  Mr.  MacTavish's  cariole  caught  in 
a  tree  stump,  and  before  he  could  prevent  it,  pitched 
over  on  its  side,  bringing  the  team  to  a  full  stop. 

With  a  suddenness  that  gave  no  chance  for  interfer- 
ence, the  foregoer  wheeled  about,  and  snarling  fier> eh. 
sprang  upon  the  steady  dog,  tumbling  him  over  on  his 
back,  and  gripping  him  by  the  throat,  while  the  other 
two,  getting  tangled  up  in  the  traces,  began  snarling  and 
biting  in  their  turn;  so  that  in  the  twinkling  ofan  eye  there 
was  a  confused  jumble  of  dogs  and  harness,  that  it  would 
take  no  small  trouble  to  unravel. 

Shouting  and  swearing  at  the  top  of  their  voices.  Pa- 

panakes  and  Alec  rushed  to  the  rescue,  plying  their  whijb 

mercilessly  upon  th?  tangle  of  struggling  animals.    But 

the  lashing  only  made  matters  worse,  for  when  the  whip 

fell  upon  a  dog,  he  naturally  thought  it  was  one  of  tiie 

other  dogs  that  had  bitten  him,  and  redoubled  his  efforts 

to  bite  back. 

Mr.  MacTavish  soon  perceived  that  the  confusion  was 

only  getting  worse  confounded. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


195 


maiix  in  tlie 


1  over  on  his 


confusion  w.> 


"  Here,  Alec,  Papanakes  !  "  he  roared.     "  Get  awa  wi 
ve  and  leave  the  dogs  to  me.     Yerain  dogs' 11  be  fightin' 


tt 


ifve  don't  watch  them.' 

He  spoke  not  a  moment  too  soon.  The  other  teams 
left  to  themselves,  and  excited  by  the  din  of  conflict  so 
near  them,  would,  in  another  minute,  have  been  at  it 
"tooth  and  nail  "  on  their  own  account,  and  it  needed 
all  the  efforts  of  their  drivers  to  q  iet  them. 

At  the  very  first  of  the  fight,  Fergus  had  sprung  out  of 
his  cariole  and  gone  to  Bruce's  head,  where  he  stood  un- 
:il  It  was  all  over,  speaking  soothingly  to  his  dogs,  if  they 
showed  any  signs  of  restlessness. 

Mr.  MacTavish  found  it  a  hard  job  to  bring  any  sem- 
blance of  order  out  of  the  chaos;  but  finuxiy,  by  dint  of 
patience,  succeeded,  and  then  he  discovered  the  cause  of 
ail  the  trouble.  The  clever,  conceited  leader  had, 
through  an  unintentional  blunder,  been  placed  in  the 
shafts.  The  responsibility  for  this  cruel  indignity,  he 
evidently  put  upon  the  shafter,  who  had  been  promoted 
to  the  proud  position  of  leader,  and  ut  the  first  op])ortu- 
nity  he  had  sougl  t  solace  for  his  wounded  feelings  by 
giving  his  innocent  mate  a  thrashing. 

"Ha!  ha!  "  said  the  chief  trader,  with  a  grim  smile. 
"  That's  the  way  of  it.  The  mair  haste  the  less  speed. 
By  trying  to  save  a  mmute  at  the  start  we've  lost  an 
hour." 

After  considerable  difficulty  the  tangled  harness  was 
straightened  out,  the  dogs  put  in  their  ])roper  jjlaces,  and 
h  rmony  being  thus  restored,  the  jour  v  was  resumed  at 
I'luickened  pace,  in  order  to  make  up  as  much  lost  time 
•i-'^  I'Os.-.ible. 


196 


FERGUS   AIAC   TAVISH. 


The  little  excitement  made  Fergus  quite  forget  his  blue 
feelings,  and  he  began  to  sing  in  a  cheery  voice  one  of 
the  songs  he  Iiad  learned  from  Mrs.  Olden,  who  was  an 
accomplished  musician.  The  words  were  the  familiar 
paraphrase  of  the  twenty-third  psalm. 

**  That's  richt,  laddie,"  called  out  Mr.  MacTavih. 
"Sing  away  like  that.  It  does  my  heart  gude  to  hear 
ye." 

Fergus'  voice  was  clear  and  strong,  and  rising  on  the 
still  morning  air,  it  sounded  remarkably  well.  The  In- 
dian and  the  half-breed  enjoyed  the  song  no  less  than  tiie 
chief  trader,  and  were  sorry  when  it  came  to  an  end. 

"  Him  sing  like  a  bird,"  remarked  Papanakes,  sentcn- 
tiously  to  Alec,  who  had  come  up  beside  him  in  order  to 
be  nearer  the  singer. 

Encouraged  by  the  evident  appreciation  of  his  effort\ 
Fergus  continued  them  until  his  list  of  those  he  knew  U 
heart  was  exhausted,  and  then  perforce  he  had  to  bring 
his  performance  to  a  close. 

But  if  his  burst  of  song  had  been  brief,  it  had  been 
very  timely.  The  three  men  who  heard  it  found  their 
hearts  the  brighter  for  it,  and  pursued  their  way  witii 
lightened  step,  while  Fergus,  unconscious  of  his  good 
office,  was  regretting  that  he  had  nothing  more  to  sing. 

About  the  middle  of  the  morning  the  clouds  began  to| 
fulfill  their  threats  by  sending  down  scattering  volleys  ot 
snowflakes,  the  advance  guard  of  the  approaciiing  sionn,| 

''  Eh!  Fergus.  There  it  comes,"  said  Mr.  MacTav- 
ish.  "  And  w^e're  nae  more  than  half-wav  to  cr  an\\'- 
ing  place.  We  maun  make  haste,  or  we'll  have  a  hard] 
time  of  it  out  here  on  the  lake. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


197 


Their  situation  indeed  could  hardly  have  been  worse 
for  meeting  such  a  storm  as  might  be  expected  upon 
Like  Winnipeg.  Tiiey  were  just  about  mid-way  between 
two  headlands  which  formed  a  great  bay.  The  nearest 
land  was  full  fifteen  miles  distant,  the  clump  of  pines 
which  crested  it  being  barely  visible  far  to  the  south. 
The  storm  would  evidently  come  from  the  southeast,  and 
therefore  he  almost  right  in  their  teeth.  When  once  it 
broke  upon  them,  they  would  have  to  fight  their  way 
against  it  until  shelter  v/as  reached. 

All  this  Fergus  saw  clearly,  and  after  his  singing 
I  ea>ed  he  had  been  lifting  up  his  heart  in  prayer  to  God 
for  the  protection  of  them  all,  the  sweet  words,  '*  Commit 
thy  way  unto  the  Lord,"  and  '^  He  shall  direct  thy 
paths,"  which  Mr.  Olden  so  often  quoted,  coming  into 
his  mind  with  their  message  of  comfort. 

Mr.  Olden  had  given  him  a  little  sermon  all  to  himself 
once,  upon  these  two  texts  which  fit  so  closely  together, 
although  they  are  not  to  be  found  side  by  side  in  the 
Bible ;  and  his  words  had  made  a  deep  impression  upon 
him.  Here  was  an  opportunity  to  put  them  to  the  test, 
and  he  was  repeating  them  softly  as  he  sat  in  his  cariole, 
when  his  father  spoke  to  him. 

"All  right,  father,"  he  answered.  ''Since  we  must 
make  haste  I'm  going  to  help  a  little.  Just  give  me  time 
to  tie  my  snowslioes."  And  jum[)ing  out  of  his  furs  he 
strapped  on  the  shoes  as  quickly  as  Papanakes  himself 
could  have  done  it. 

'Now,  then,"  he  said.  ''I'm  going  to  walk,  like  the 
n'stofyou." 

"Said  like  a  man,"  exclaimed  the  chief  trader,  look- 


• 

pp* 

! 

198 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


ing  proudly  back  at  him.  **  There's  nae  fear  but  you'll 
make  your  mark,  laddie.  Ye  do  my  heart  good  wi  yer 
bonnie,  bright  ways." 

Taking  his  bearings  carefully  while  the  air  was  va 
clear,  Mr.  MacTavish  said,  in  an  encouraging  tone : 

"  The  storm's  come  an  hour  sooner  than  1  thought  it 
would.  But  we're  ready  for  it,  and  we'll  make  the  point 
all  right.  We  maun  just  push  on  until  we  reach  the 
land." 

More  and  more  thickly  fell  the  snow-flakes,  and  at  the 
same  time  the  wind  increased  in  violence,  not  gathering 
force  steadily,  but  by  fitful  gusts  each  sharper  than  the 
last,  as  the  tide  makes  its  way  up  the  beach  by  wave  ful- 
lowing  upon  wave,  and  gaining  a  little  by  succcs.^ive 
onsets. 

Mr.  MacTavish  yielded  the  lead  to  Papanakes,  the  old 
Indian's  instinct  being  surer  than  even  his  long  experi- 
ence and  trained  intelligence ;  and  with  heads  bent  to 
meet  the  blast,  the  four  travelers  plodded  steadily  onward 
at  the  head  of  their  teams,  while  the  snow-drifts  began  to 
form  rapidly  upon  their  path. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


A   STRUGGLE   WITH   THE   STORM. 

rpHEY  had  made  about  four  miles,  and  were  still  ten 
J.  miles  from  land,  when  Fergus  found  his  legs  feeling 
very  weary.  With  each  step  the  track  grew  heavier,  and 
then  there  was  the  pitiless,  persistent  wind  to  battle 
ag;iinst.  The  poor  dogs  seemed  to  be  laboring  so  that  he 
felt  very  reluctant  to  increase  their  burden  by  getting 
into  the  cariole,  and  yet  he  knew  he  could  not  keep  his 
place  in  the  train  much  longer. 

Had  the  track  been  firm  and  even,  he  could  have 
slipped  along  on  his  snowshoes  for  ten  miles  without 
over-exerting  himself;  but  it  was  very  different  ploughing 
through  drifting  snow  as  dry  as  sand,  into  which  the 
snowshoe  sank  at  every  step,  in  the  teeth  of  a  gale  now 
blowing  at  the  rate  of  thirty  or  forty  miles  an  hour. 

There  was  not  a  stouter-hearted  boy  of  his  years  in 
lirithsh  North  America;  yet  who  could  blame  him  if  his 
courage  began  to  wane  as  the  perils  of  the  situation  in- 
creased? So  dense  had  the  snowfall  become  that  the 
whole  air  seemed  full  of  the  whirling  flakes,  and  it  was 
im[)ossible  to  see  many  hundred  yards  in  any  direction. 
Only  now  and  then,  when  a  gust  of  especial  violence  tore 
the  confusing  veil  asunder  for  a  moment,  could  a  long 
look  ahead  be  obtained. 

At  length  he  could  not  keep  up  the  pace  that  Papana- 
kcs  was  setting,  and  rather  than  call  out  for  him  to  walk 

190 


200 


FEPwGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


more  slowly,  he  got  on  his  cariole  behind  the  seat.  The 
feeling  of  rest  was  inexpressibly  welcome.  But  his  wei'^ht 
at  once  made  itself  felt,  for  the  dogs  perceptibly  slackened 
speed. 

*'  Now,  Bruce,"  he  cried,  in  a  tone  of  reproach,  "  wail 
ye  have  me  left  behind  ?  Get  up,  gude  dog.  Keep  y^r 
place  in  the  train.  Surely,  ye  would  na  let  the  frcigiu 
dogs  pass  ye  by. ' ' 

Bruce  may  not  have  understood  the  exact  words,  l)ut 
he  caught  their  meaning  clearly  enough,  and  responded  to 
the  challenge  by  a  vigorous  spurt  that  quickly  recovered 
the  lost  ground.  Then,  putting  forth  a  steady  increa>e 
of  energy,  he  kept  his  place  in  spiteof  storm  and  drifting 
snow. 

It  was  hard,  hard  work  for  both  men  and  dogs.  Had 
they  been  going  overland  where  they  could  at  times 
get  under  the  lee  of  a  clump  of  trees  or  a  slielterin;; 
hill,  it  would  not  have  been  so  trying  a  situation.  Iii;t 
they  were  far  out  on  the  open  lake,  exposed  to  the  tiiil 
sweep  of  the  wind,  and  compelled  to  flice  it  in  order  to 
reach  a  place  of  safety.  Well  was  it  for  them  that  they 
were  inured  to  Arctic  cold  by  long  experience,  and  w.rc 
in  the  best  of  physical  condition. 

For  another  hour  they  toiled  on  through  the  storm. 
Fergus  alternately  walking,  and  standing  on  behind. 
Into  his  cariole  he  refused  to  get,  although  his  father 
more  than  once  urged  him  to  do  so.  Not  until  his  strength 
had  utterly  left  hini  would  he  consent  to  become  a  hel] - 
less  burden,  and  a  drag  upon  the  others. 

Anxious  as  he  was  for  the  safety  of  the  party,  he  could 
not  help  a  feeling  of  pride  at  the  admirable  behavior  of 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISII. 


20i 


his  dogs.  The  blinding  storm  bothered  them  far  less 
than  it  did  the  otiiers.  They  bent  their  heads  low,  half- 
shut  their  eyes,  and  kept  on  steadily  at  the  e^isy  jog-trot 
winch  was  good  for  four  miles  an  hour.  When  Fergus 
^ut  on  the  cariole  it  caused  a  momentary  check,  but 
they  quickly  adjusted  their  effort  to  the  increased  weight, 
and  went  on  as  steadily  as  tht)ugh  he  were  walking  be- 
bide  them. 

All  this  time  Papanakes  had  been  marking  out  the 
track  with  entire  confidence  in  the  accuracy  of  his  guid- 
ing; but  i)resently  he  began  to  falter,  and  show  signs  of 
indecision.  At  last  he  came  to  a  full  stop  ;  and  when 
Mr.  MacTavish  went  forward  to  find  out  what  was  the 
Uiatter,  the  old  Indian  giving  his  arm  a  sweep  around  the 
l.(>rizi)n,  said  in  a  mournful  tone  : 

*'  Papanakes  lost !  Not  knowed  which  way  to  lead. 
Papanakes'  eyes  old.  Not  see  like  when  him  young. 
Tiie  storm  make  him  blind.  Chief  trader  must  lead 
train  now." 

Mr.  MacTavish's  heart  sank  when  he  heard  these 
words.  He  had  depended  upon  the  veteran  guide  to  extri- 
cate them  from  their  i)crilous  position  ;  for  Alec, 
aithoui^h  bright  enough  in  his  way,  was  still  too  inex- 
perienced to  do  anything  more  than  he  could  do  himself. 
Thinking  that  perhaps  it  was  only  a  despondent  mood 
that  had  come  over  the  Indian,  he  answered  him  in  the 
most  cheerful  tone  he  could  muster  :  i 

"  Oh,  no  !  Papanakes  not  lost.  Papanakes  know  too 
much  to  get  lost.  Papanakes  only  tired — eh,  Alec?" 
turning   \ith  a  smile  to  the  halt'-breed. 

but  the  old  man  was  not  to  be  brightened  up  in  that 


202 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


!^ 


way.  He  was  tired  without  doubt — very,  very  tired. 
His  many  years  were  telling  upon  him,  and  he  could  no 
longer  endure  such  fatigue  as  he  made  light  of  \vl;en 
he  was  Alec's  age. 

**No,  no,  chief,"  he  replied,  *' Papanakes  lost.  sure. 
sure."  And  he  shook  his  grizzled  locks  with  sorrowful 
earnestness. 

"Can't  you  guide  us,  instead  of  Papanakes,  father?" 
broke  in  Fergus,  who  had  been  an  eager  listener,  and 
now  si)oke  with  startled  face  and  beating  heart. 

*'  I  fear  not,  laddie  ;  I  wad  only  lead  ye  astray.  We 
will  rest  a  bit,  and  then  maybe  Papanakes  will  feci  like 
going  on  again,"  replied  Mr.  MacTavish. 

Accordingly  a  halt  was  made,  and  as  everybody  was 
by  this  time  feeling  very  hungry,  the  provision  l)a::s 
were  opened.  The  pemmican  was  frozen  hard,  so  that 
neither  the  chief  trader  nor  Fergus  could  eat  a  bite  of  it, 
although  the  Indian  and  half-breed  managed  to  dispose 
of  al)out  a  pound  each.  But  the  biscuits  were  all  right, 
and  they  ate  of  them  heartily,  wishing  all  the  while  for  ;i 
good  cup  of  hot  black  tea  with  which  to  wash  them  down. 

As  they  were  eating,  the  dogs  crowded  around  with 
begging  looks,  and  Mr.  MacTavish  gave  orders  for  thtm 
to  be  fed,  although  the  rule  was  not  to  feed  them  wvXil 
at  the  end  of  the  day's  work.  They  evidently  muclun- 
joyed  the  extra  meal,  and  would  jiull  all  the  better  fur  it 
when  the  team  started  again. 

"Just  see,  father,  how  the  snow's  drifting  over  us." 
said  Fergus,  pointing  to  the  little  heajjs  that  gathered     »] 
so  quickly  about  the  sledges.     "  It  would  not  take  long 
to  bury  us  if  we  were  to  stay  still,  would  it?  " 


,  very  tired. 
^  he  could  no 
ight  of  wl.eii 

es  lost.  sure. 
ith  sorrowfi;! 

es,  fluher?" 
listener,  and 
art. 

astray.  We 
will  fed  like 

erybody  was 
)vision  ba^rs 
hard,  so  th;it 
:  a  bite  of  it, 
?d  to  dispose 
ere  all  right, 
e  while  for  ;i 
them  down, 
around  with 
ers  for  thun 
i  them  u:n;l 
:ly  much  en- 
bctter  for  it 


ig  over  us. 

lat  gathered     H 

ot  take  lonL' 


•  I 


.  .gj     — ^ 


S^V/^T?/? 


FerKua  MacTavish. 


I'agti  203. 


FERGrS   MAC   TAVISH. 


203 


''No,  indeed,  Fergus,  not  very  lang,  and  it  wad  make 
a  bonnie  winding-sheet  for  us  all.  But  please  God,  it's 
not  ijOing  to  bury  us  this  day.  We'll  reach  the  land  in 
a  couple  of  hours." 

'' Faihcr,"  said  Fergus,  somewhat  baslifully,  laying 
liis  hand  upon  the  chief  trader's  arm,  **  hadn't  we  better 
j)rav  to  God  before  we  start  again  ?  The  Bible  says  ? 
'  Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  direct  thy 
paths.'  " 

Mr.  MacTavish  turned  and  looked  into  Fergus'  eyes, 
wliik  his  own  filled  with  unbidden  tears. 

"Ell,  laddie,"  said  he  gently,  "but  ye're  a  lesson  to 
ycr  pair  father,  who  does  not  know  how  to  pray  as  he 
should.     Will  ye  na  ask  God  yersel?  " 

Fergus  blushed  at  his  fLither's  request,  but  did  not 
hesitate  to  obey  it.  There  was  a  remarkable  simplicity 
in  his  nature  which  helped  him  to  be  quite  unconscious 
of  himself.  The  thought  of  how  he  looked  to  others,  as 
he  wiis  doing  or  saying  anything,  never  entered  his 
mind  ;  and  now  that  it  was  put  upon  him  to  be  the 
prie>t  of  the  little  }jarty  in  such  imminent  peril,  his 
tongue  was  not  tied  by  any  embarrassment  because  of 
the  i)resence  of  the  others.  It  was  the  feeling  of  the 
Divine  presence  that  made  him  halt  and  hesitate  in  his 
utterance. 

Vet  in  childlike  faith  the  prayer  was  offered ;  Mr. 
Mac  lavish  and  the  men  listening  reverently,  and  add- 
ing a  fervent  "Amen  !  "   wlien  Fergus  had  finished. 

"  l''ather,"  said  the  boy  earnestly,  his  face  illumined 
hv  his  faith,  "God  will  give  us  help,  won't  he?  lie 
will  direct  our  paths." 


204 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


"Surely  he  will,  laddie,"  answered  the  chief  trader; 
and  then  turning  to  the  Indian,  he  asked:  "Are  vou 
ready  to  lead  again,  Papanakes?" 

The  old  man  brushed  the  snow  from  his  face,  arcl 
strove  to  pierce  the  bewildering  veil  of  flying  flakes  that 
obscured  the  outlook  in  every  direction.  Then  he  shook 
his  head  sadly,  murmuring  : 

"  Papanakes  no  good.  Him  not  know  the  way  at 
all." 

Mr.  MacTavish  gave  a  great  sigh  of  d'.sappointment. 
He  had  hoped  that  after  the  rest  and  refreshment,  the 
veteran  guide's  faculties  would  brighten  up,  and  he 
would  be  able  to  resume  his  place  at  the  head  of  tie 
train.  But  it  was  very  evident  that  no  more  help  ( ouKl 
be  expected  from  him  in  their  dire  emergency.  How- 
ever the  way  to  safety  was  to  be  found,  Papanakes 
counted  for  nothing. 

Then  Mr.  MacTavish  bethought  himself  of  the  doL;s; 
perhaps  their  instinct  would  enable  them  unguidcd  to 
find  their  way  to  the  land.  The  experiment  was  worth 
trying  at  all  events.  Naturally  enough  he  took  it  tor 
granted  that  Mr.  Barnston's  Esquimaux  would  be  the 
most  reliable  under  the  circumstances.  They  were  accus- 
tomed to  snow  and  ice  from  their  biith.  They  ought 
not  to  be  at  fault  in  any  storm. 

Getting  the  teams  into  line,  with  the  white  Esquimau 
at  the  lead,  Mr.  MacTavish  cracked  his  whip,  and 
shouted  :   "Go  dogs  !     Get  up  wi  ye  !  " 

The  Esquimau  took  a  few  steps  in  a  slow,  hesitating 
way,  and  then  stopped,  and  looked  around.  His  nuan- 
ing  was  clear  enough.     He  was  ready  to  go  forward; 


I^.RGUS  MAC   TAVISH. 


205 


but  he  wanted  directions.     He  was  waiting  for  '*  Haw," 
or  •'  Gee ;  "  the  words  for  "  right  "  and  *'  left." 

But  Mr.  MacTavish  had  no  idea  whether  to  suy 
"Haw,"  or  *'Gee."  He  hoped  that  the  Esqiiiinau 
would  decide  that  for  himself.  Again  and  again  he 
urijcd  the  dog  on,  and  each  time  the  same  thing  wa^  re- 
peated. The  bewildered  animal  at  first  obeyed  me*  han- 
i(ally,  but  soon  halted,  at  a  loss  to  proceed  without 
more  definite  directions. 

Then  a  thought  flashed  into  Fergus'  brain.  If  the 
white  Esquimau  could  not  lead  them  to  land,  perhaps 
his  no])le  Bruce  might. 

''Father,"  he  cried,  '*try  my  dogs.  Perhaps  they'll 
do  better." 

Mr.  MacTavish  shook  his  head  doubtfully. 

"Your  dogs  are  strangers  here,  Fergus.  I  fear  me 
they'll  not  know  what  to  do." 

"But,  father,  won't  you  please  try  them?"  urged 
Ferfjus. 

"Well,  laddie,  try  them  yersel'.  They'll  do  bet- 
tor  in  yer  ain  hands  than  in  mine,"  responded  his 
father. 

"I  will,  father,"  said  Fergus;  "and  I  believe  Bruce 
will  find  the  way  for  us." 

So  saying,  Fergus  \\ent  np  to  the  big  St.  Bernard,  and 
taking  his  ma.ssive  head  between  his  hands,  he  turned  it 
up  so  that  he  might  look  right  into  his  brave  brown  eyes, 
and  proceeded  to  talk  with  him  as  though  he  had  been  a 
kllow-being. 

"Bruce,"  said  he,  "we  are  all  in  very  great  danger, 
^VL'  have  lost  our  way,  and  none  of  us  know  how  to  find 


■'^J::..  ,;i':; 

^- 

\ 

f 

v^  ' 

^',  ■"!  '' 

206 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVIST!. 


it  again.  We  want  to  get  back  to  the  shore.  If  we 
don't  before  night  comes,  we'll  likely  be  dead  before 
morning.  Now,  Bruce,  don't  you  think  you  could  guide 
us  to  the  shore,  if  you  tried  ?  You're  a  very  wise  clof^, 
Bruce  ;  and  I  believe  you  can,  and  I'm  going  to  start  you 
off  ahead,  and  we're  all  going  to  follow  you.  So  just 
you  start  right  off,  Bruce.     Go  now,  go  !  " 

If  ever  a  dog  understood  human  speech  thus  addressed 
to  him,  Bruce  did  then.  The  noble  creature  listened 
attentively  to  every  word,  and  when  his  young  inastir 
had  finished,  and  stood  to  one  side,  crying:  ''Go,"  he 
threw  up  his  head,  gave  a  short,  clear  bark,  that  said 
plainly,  *'I  understand  you,"  and  dashed  off  at  a  rate 
that  compelled  Fergus  to  get  on  behind,  or  he  would 
have  been  left  in  the  lurch.  The  other  teams  fell  (juicklv 
into  line,  their  drivers  trotting  along  through  the  siiow 
beside  them,  and  the  whole  train  was  once  more  in  active 
motion. 

Without  the  slightest  hesitation,  or  seeming  to  have 
any  need  to  look  about  him,  the  St.  Bernard,  holdiivj 
his  head  high,  and  with  eyes  fixed  upon  somethii 
straight  ahead,  pressed  steadily  forward  through  tie 
storm.  The  going  was  very  heavy.  He  sank  to  the  ^;r>t 
joint  of  his  leg  every  step  he  took  and  the  cariole,  wii!i 
Fergus  upon  it,  partly  plowed  through  the  accumulated 
snow.  But  these  drawbacks  had  no  effect  upon  his 
ardor.  By  some  subtle  instinct,  beyond  the  scope  of 
human  comprehension,  he  divined  the  shortest  route  to 
the  shore,  and  thoroughly  realized  the  importance  of 
getting  over  it  as  quickly  as  possible. 

He  had  not  gone  a  quarter  of  a  mile  before  Mr.  Mac- 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


207 


Tavish's  doubts  as  to  his  ability  to  save  them  from  a 
death  in  the  snow  drifts  had  vanished. 

"God  bless  the  creature!"  the  chief  trader  ejacu- 
lated, fervently.  "  Did  ye  ever  see  ony thing  like  it  ? 
Ye'd  think  he  knew  the  way  as  well  as  if  it  were  the 
track  from  Play  Green  Lake  to  the  Fort.  He's  taking  uj 
straight  to  the  land,  I  do  believe." 

Papanakes  and  Alec  had  nothing  to  say.  They  were 
both  very  tired,  and  found  it  a  hard  task  to  keep  up  with 
their  teams.  They  would  have  been  glad  if  Bruce  were 
not  so  much  in  earnest,  and  were  content  to  set  a  slower 
pace.  But  they  would  have  died  rather  than  confess  it ; 
and  so,  with  both  heads  bent,  and  arms  squared,  they 
tn,)tted  on  beside  their  sledges  in  grim  silence,  putting 
little  faitii  in  the  St.  Bernard's  ability  to  get  them  out  of 
their  perilous  position. 

Half  an  hour  passed  in  this  way,  and  still  Bruce 
pressed  resolutely  forward  with  un.slackened  speed.  No 
iir;,nng  did  he  need  from  Fergus.  On  the  contrary,  his 
yoiin-  master  felt  it  necessary  to  try  to  hold  him  in  a 
httle,  and  would  call  to  him  in  a  quieting  tone : 

''  Easy,  Bruce.  Easy,  gude  dog.  Ye  need  na  work 
sae  hard.  It's  a  long  time  yet  till  dark."  But  when 
he  spoke  it  seemed  that  his  words  quickened  instead  of 
restrained  the  St.  Bernard,  and  as  he  had  no  reins 
wherewith  to  hold  the  animal  in  check,  he  was  compelled 
to  let  him  run  on  as  fast  as  he  pleased. 

Ilis  team-mates  heartily  seconded  his  efforts.  The  two 
Newfoundlands  and  huge  Hercules  had  caught  the  spirit 
of  their  leader,  whether  they  shared  in  his  wonderful 
sagacity  or  not,  and  each  one  took  his  fidl  part  of  the 


208 


FERGUS   MAC  TA VISIT. 


work.  So  tired  had  Fergus  become  that  he  could  not 
even  keep  his  place  properly  standing  on  behind,  and 
was  glad  to  get  inside,  and  cover  himself  up  witli  the 
furs. 

For  ahnost  an  hour  had  they  been  hastening  on,  and 
Mr.  MacTavish  found  the  tremendous  efforts  of  the  day 
telling  so  severely  upon  him,  that  he  doubted  if  his 
strength  would  hold  out  much  longer.  Yet  he  hesitated 
to  get  into  his  cariole,  for  he  knew  his  weight  would  make 
his  dogs  go  much  more  slowly  on  that  heavy  track,  and 
Ferc:us'  team  would  soon  leave  him  behind. 

"Oh,  God  !  "  he  groaned.  ''Give  me  help,  for  my 
strength  is  failing  fast." 

He  glanced  over  his  shoulder  at  the  two  drivers  be- 
hind him,  and  saw  at  once  from  their  heavy,  labored 
step  they  were  in  no  better  condition  than  himself. 

'*  Gude  Lord  !  "  he  prayed  again.  '*  Come  to  the  help 
of  diy  puir  creatures,  for  we  are  in  sore  straits." 

Just  at  that  moment  Bruce  gave  a  clear,  sharp  bark, 
which  sounded  like  a  cry  of  triumph  ;  and  Fergus,  stand- 
ing up  in  his  cariole,  waved  his  hands,  shouting  joyously: 

"  I  can  see  the  shore,  father.  There  it  is,  just  ahead! 
Look!" 

The  chief  trader  brushed  the  snow  from  his  face,  and 
peered  eagerly  into  the  storm.  Sure  enough,  not  a  hun- 
dred yards  away  there  loomed  up  a  dark  rounded  mas^ 
which  must  be  the  forest-lined  shore  for  which  they  were 
making,  and  upon  the  reaching  of  which  before  dark 
their  lives  depended. 

''The  gude  Lord  be  praised!  "  he  ejaculated,  fer- 
vently.    "It  is  the  shore,  indeed  ;  and  we're  saved." 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


209 


All  weariness  was  forgotten  now.  Fergus  stood  up  in 
his  caiiole,  cracking  his  whip,  and  showering  praises  upon 
his  dogs.  Mr.  MacTavish  sprang  forward  after  him,  as 
briskly  as  though  he  had  just  begun  the  day's  work.  Pa- 
panakt's  and  Alec  lifted  their  heads,  and  with  the  gloom 
all  gone  from  their  faces,  stepped  lightly  over  the  yield- 
ing drifts,  while  the  dogs  joined  in  a  chorus  of  barking, 
that  showed  that  they  understood  the  situation  quite  as 
well  as  their  masters. 

So  like  an  invading  army,  they  charged  up  the  sloping 
shore  of  the  lake,  and  found  themselves  in  the  clump  of 
trees  that  crowned  the  very  headland  Mr.  MacTavish  had 
ajipointed  as  the  termination  of  that  day's  journey. 
Bruco's  sagacity  had  shown  itself  superior  to  the  utmost 
of  human  skill  and  experience. 

They  were  too  exhausted  to  do  anything  save  vie  with 
one  another  in  praising  Bruce  for  some  time  after  they 
reached  the  welcome  shelter  of  the  wood,  where  the 
pines  standing  close  together,  shielded  them  admirably 
from  the  baffled  blast.  But  as  soon  as  they  had  rested 
their  weary  limbs  a  little  and  regained  their  breath,  they 
^Jt  to  work  to  prepare  a  camp  that  would  serve  them 
until  the  storm  altogether  passed  away. 

''Come  now,  men,  and  you  too,  Fergus,  if  you're  not 
clear  done  oot,"  Mr.  MacTavish  said,  as  briskly  as 
though  he  did  not  know  the  meaning  of  the  word 
"tired."  ''Let  us  get  a  real  snug  camp  ready  before 
thj  night  comes  on  us." 

All  went  at  once  to  work  with  a  will.  The  axes  and 
hurhets  were  plied  vigorously,  and  in  a  remarkaijly 
>>hort  time  a  really  snug  camp  wa.s  constructed  out  of  pine 

o 


t 


210 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


boughs,  supplemented  by  the  furs  from  the  carioles.  A 
huge  fire  was  then  set  going  right  at  the  entrance  to  the 
camp,  the  dogs  were  given  a  double  ration  of  whitt'r)>h 
their  masters  made  a  hearty  meal  of  pemmican,  biscuit, 
and  tea;  and  so  before  the  night  fell  upon  them,  the 
travelers,  relieved  in  mind  and  refreshed  in  body,  rolled 
up  in  their  thick  buffalo  robes  to  enjoy  the  sleep  they  so 
greatly  needed,  while  the  dogs,  as  soon  as  all  was  still, 
crawled  quietly  into  the  camp,  and  stowed  themselves 
away  wherever  they  could  find  an  unoccupied  corner, 
thus  insuring  their  own  comfort,  and  adding  to  the 
warmth  of  their  human  bedfellows. 

There  was  no  need  to  turn  out  before  dawn  the  follow- 
ing morning.  The  storm  continued  all  that  day  and 
into  the  following  night,  greatly  trying  the  patience  of 
the  chief  trader,  and  of  Fergus,  who  found  the  forced  in- 
action very  monotonous.  Papanakes  and  Alec  were  quite 
content  to  smoke,  and  snooze  away  the  hours,  so  that 
father  and  son  were  left  as  much  to  themselves  as  if  they 
had  been  alone. 

They  fell  to  talking  about  M  \  Olden,  and  the  business 
that  had  brought  him  to  Norway  House. 

**I  canna  help  thinking  that  it'll  be  little  better  than 
a  wild  goose  chase,  Fergus,"  said  Mr.  MacTavish. 
**  They're  puir  creatures,  these  Indians,  and  I  greatly 
doot  i.  they'll  aye  come  to  understand  the  gospel.  Dinna 
ye  think  so  yersel  ?  " 

'*  Why,  no,  father,"  responded  Fergus,  earnestly,  f  r 
Mr.  Olden  had  inspired  him  with  some  of  his  own  entlm?i- 
asm ;  and  he  had  profound  faith  in  the  ultimate  success  of 
his  mission. 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


211 


id  the  business 


"When  Mr.  Olden  is  able  to  talk  to  the  Indians  in 
their  own  words,  you  see  if  they  don't  soon  understand 
the  Bible.  Why,  already,  although  Alec  has  to  be  his 
intcri)reter,  Mr.  Olden  has  told  them  a  great  deal  about 
Jesus,  and  they  are  always  glad  to  hear  about  him." 

"Possibly,  Fergus,  possibly,"  answered  the  chief 
trader,  sliaking  his  head  sagely.  "  But  I'm  much  mis- 
taken if  preaching  to  the  Indians  be  not  like  trying  to 
make  ropes  out  of  the  sea  sand.  I'm  sure  ye  would  na 
care  to  waste  yer  life  at  it,  would  ye,  laddie  ?  " 

Fergus  blushed,  and  his  head  dropped  upon  his  breast. 
There  was  that  in  his  father's  tone  which  plainly  implied 
that  he  considered  Mr.  Olden's  life  wasted,  so  far  as  it 
was  devoted  to  attempting  to  make  Christians  out  of 
Indians ;  and  in  the  face  of  this  he  had  not  courage  to 
give  the  answer  that  was  in  his  thoughts. 

Mr.  MacTavish  noticed  the  boy's  hesitation,  and  it 
aroused  his  curiosity  so,  that  he  pressed  for  an  answer. 

"What  may  ye  be  thinking  of,  laddie?"  he  asked, 
somewhat  sharply.     "  Tell  me  your  thoughts." 

"I  fear  you  will  na  like  to  hear  them,  father,"  replied 
Fergus,  slowly. 

"Aye,  that  I  will,  Fergus,"  returned  Mr.  MacTavish. 
"Oct  wi  them  noo." 

"Well,  father,"  responded  Fergus,  speaking  in  a  low, 
hesitating  tone,  "  I  have  been  thinking  that  I'd  rather 
belike  Mr.  Olden,  than  onything  else  in  the  world." 
And  the  boy  looked  up  into  his  father's  face  with  an 
anxious  expression,  as  if  fearing  that  the  answer  would 
displease  him. 

The  chief  trader  seemed  somewhat  puzzled.     He  did 


212 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


not  indeed  clearly  grasp  his  son's  meaning.  So  he 
asked  him : 

"  Dae  ye  mean,  Fergus,  ye  want  to  be  as  gude  a  man 
as  Mr.  Olden,  or  as  gude  a  missionary  ?  " 

Again  Fergus  was  slow  in  answering  ;  but  seeing  that 
his  father  was  awaiting  his  response  impatiently,  he  sum- 
moned up  his  courage,  and  with  a  conscious  blush, 
murmured  : 

*'  I  want  to  be  a  missionary,  like  Mr.  Olden." 

The  cluicf  trader  broke  into  a  laugh  which  to  Fergus' 
keen  sensitiveness  had  a  certain  ring  of  derision  that 
made  him  wince. 

*^  You  want  to  be  a  missionary,  Fergus!"  ho  ex- 
claimed, ''and  to  these  good-for-nothing  Indians?  Whv, 
laddie,  there's  not  a  boy  in  all  Rupert's  Land,  with 
prospects  sae  gude  as  yer  ain.  Yer  father  can  do  nae 
little  to  gie  ye  a  gude  start,  but  Sir  George  Simpson 
can  do  fiir  more ;  and  it's  verra  plain  that  he  thinks 
a  sight  o'  you,  and  does  na  want  to  forget  that  he  gave 
ye  yer  name.  Tut !  tut !  Fergus,  it's  sheer  nonsense  yer 
talking  altogether.  And  who  put  such  notions  as  that  in 
yer  liead.  If  it  was  Mr.  Olden,  I'm  not  at  all  obleeged 
to  him." 

Fergus,  dreading  lest  his  father  should  form  hard  feel- 
ings against  the  Oldens,  hastened  to  say  : 

**  No,  no,  father.  It  was  not  Mr.  Olden.  It  just 
came  of  itself."  He  might  have  added  that  he  hil 
talked  about  it  with  Mrs.  Olden,  and  that  in  h.r 
sweet,  symi)athe'tic  way,  she  had  done  much  to  foster  it ; 
but  his  natural  shrewdness  taught  him  to  withhold  this 
unless  his  father  drew  it  out  by  further  cpiestioning. 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


213 


jrm  hard  fcel- 


"Well,  then,  laddie,"  said  Mr.  MacTavish,  in  a  tone 
half-tender,  half-stern  :  ''As  it  came  of  itself,  it  may  go 
of  itself.  Your  father  wants  you  to  stick  to  the  Company, 
and  not  be  running  awa  with  ideas  about  making  Chris- 
tians out  of  the  Indians  that  are  not  fit  for  anything 
better  than  to  bring  in  furs." 

Fergus  made  no  reply ;  and  his  father,  thinking  he 
had  said  enough  for  the  present,  introduced  a  sudden 
change  into  the  conversation,  by  calling  up  Bruce,  and 
fondling  the  big  dog  that  had  done  them  such  timely 
service. 

''Ye're  a  verra  sensible  creature,  Bruce,"  said  he. 
"  Ye  found  the  way  to  shore  for  us,  when  but  for  you  we 
wad  hae  left  our  bodies  oot  in  the  ice  to  be  buried  in 
the  snow  drifts.  And  now,  Bruce,  since  ye  were  sae  wise 
ahoot  that,  dae  ye  think  ye  could  tell  us  how  lang  this 
bothersome  storm  is  gaeing  to  last?  What  think  ye, 
Bruce?  " 

The  St.  Bernard  scrutinized  his  questioner's  face  very 
dosely,  as  if  striving  to  get  from  it  the  meaning  he 
could  not  find  in  the  words  ;  but,  entirely  failing  to 
understand  either,  he  made  a  sound  that  was  remarkably 
like  a  sigh,  and  dropped  down  into  a  i){)sition  of  ease,  as 
though  nothing  more  could  be  expected  of  him. 

'•idi,  but  ye're  a  wise  doggie,"  said  Mr.  MacTavish, 
patting  his  head.     "Yedinna  worry  yersel  about  those 
things  that  are  beyond  yer  ken  ;  and  it's  right  ye  are 
too.    There'd  be  a  deal  more  happiness  in  this  warld  if 
mony  folk  wad  do  the  same." 

lergus  felt  that  his  father  was  talking  at  him  while 
pretending   to   talk   to  the   dog,  and   the  impulse  was 


214 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVlJH. 


Strong  to  say  something  in  reply.  But  before  he  could 
frame  an  answer  in  accordance  with  his  fecHngs,  Mr. 
MacTavish  got  up,  saying  : 

**  Man,  dear,  but  this  is  awful  tiresome  !  I  maun  take 
a  tramp  around  just  to  keep  my  blood  moving.  Come, 
Ftrgus,  put  on  your  shoes,  and  we'll  go  through  the  wood 
a  bit  ;  may  be  we'll  find  something  to  have  a  shot  at." 

So  the  opportunity  passed,  and  nothing  more  was  said 
between  them  on  the  subject  until  many  days  later. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


RED    RIVER   AND   HOME   AGAIN. 


THE  storm  lasted  during  three  days,  and  then  cleared 
away,  leaving  a  world  completely  buried  in  spotless 
white.  A  partial  thaw  marked  its  close,  and  the  snow 
that  fell  then  was  heavy  and  moist.  With  the  clearing 
off  came  colder  temperature,  and  a  crust  formed  over  the 
snow,  which,  when  the  sledges  set  out  at  first,  was  not 
strong  enough  to  bear  the  weight  of  the  dogs.  They 
conse(iiiently  broke  through  it  at  every  step,  thus  not 
only  making  progress  very  difficult,  but  presently  the 
ja;,^gcd  crust  cut  thuir  feet,  and  Mr.  Barnston's  E.squi- 
liidiix  came  to  a  full  stop,  holdmg  up  their  paws,  and 
nhising  to  go  on  until  what  they  wanted  had  been 
done. 

"Dogs  want  shoes,"  s?'d  Papanakes.  **  Won't  go 
till  they  get  'em." 

*'  Sure  enough  !  "  exclaimed  the  chief  trader.  *'  I  was 
forgetting  all  aboot  the  puir  creatures.  Did  you  bring 
shoes  for  them,  Papanakes  ?  " 

The  old  Indian  was  too  busy  searching  for  something 
in  tlie  load  on  his  sledge  to  make  any  answer,  but  after 
a  few  moments  he  held  ai)  a  little  bundle  tied  around 
with  moose-hide,  saying  proudly: 

"  l\ii)anakes  not  forget.  Him  bring  dog  shoes  every 
tiuu'." 

"(iiide   for  you,  Pa])anakes,"   said   Mr.    MacTavish. 

215 


216 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Ik 


"I'm  verra  glad  ye  didn't  forget,  for  the  dogs  could  na 
gang  far  withoot  them  over  this  track." 

Papanakes'  bundle,  when  untied,  proved  to  consist  of 
a  number  of  pairs  of  woolen  things  that  looked  like  tinv 
thumbless  mittens.  The  moment  the  Esquimaux  saw 
them  they  held  forth  their  paws  expectantly.  With  soft 
thongs  a  dog-shoe  was  securely  tied  upon  each  foot,  pro- 
tecting the  leg  right  up  to  the  knee.  Ftrgus'  dogs  had 
never  worn  them  before,  but  they  made  no  objection  lu 
their  be  in     ^mt  on. 

Once  ti  animals  were  all  equipped,  their  satisfaction 
was  very  evident.  They  capered  about  in  token  of  tiiiir 
joy,  and  when  the  command  was  given  to  start  again, 
rushed  off  in  great  style,  crushing  through  the  crust  with 
gay  indifference  to  its  sharp  edges. 

No  incidents  of  special  note  marked  the  remainder  of 
the  jouiney  to  Red  River.  Owing  to  the  delay  caused 
by  the  storm,  the  train  took  ten  days  altogether  in 
leaching  its  destination,  instead  of  six,  as  Mr.  Ahic- 
Tavish  had  counted  upon.  But  his  regret  at  this  was 
scoii  lorgotten  in  the  pleasure  of  a  meeting  with  the 
many  friends  he  had  in  the  settlement. 

To  Fergus,  the  little  gathering  of  houses  and  huts, 
hardly  worthy  of  the  name  of  village,  was  an  object  of 
great  interest.  He  had  never  seen  so  many  houses  or  so 
many  people  in  one  place  before,  and  he  plied  his  father 
with  (questions  concerning  both  that  kept  the  chief 
trader  busy  answering  him. 

He  was  i)articularly  impressed  by  the  grandeur  of  Fort 
Garry,  with  its  solid  stone  walls,  massive  gates,  frowning 
towers,  and,  most  wonderful  of  all,  real  cannon  stand- 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


217 


inf^  at  the  embrasures  ready  to  pour  destruction   upon 
any  force  that  might  be  rash  enough  to  invade. 

So  engrossed  was  he  in  this  sight-seeing,  that  he  did 
not  notice  that  he  was  creating  a  small  sensation  in  his 
own  way,  as  he  guided  his  dogs  through  the  single  nar- 
row street  and  the  well-protected  gateway  into  the  in- 
terior of  the  Fort.  Such  a  team  of  dogs  as  his  had 
never  been  seen  at  Fort  Garry  before,  and  ere  long  quite 
a  crowd  gathered  about  his  cariole,  just  as  the  street 
urchins  gather  about  a  man  with  a  dancing  bear. 

Indeed,  they  seemed  to  have  as  much  respect  for  the 
big  St.  Bernards  as  the  boys  have  for  the  bear,  none 
venturing  very  near,,  but  watching  them  and  their 
\outhful  driver  with  lively  interest. 

"Just  bide  here  a  bit,  Fergus,"  said  Mr.  MacTavish 
when  they  reached  the  front  of  the  principal  building, 
"  while  I  pay  my  respects  to  Mr.  Sutherland,  lake  ye 
care  that  the  dogs  dinna  get  to  fighting  with  the  strange 
ones  here. ' ' 

"I'll  take  good  care,  father,'*  replied  Fergus,  grasping 
the  handle  of  his  whip  firmly,  and  feeling  equal  to 
thrashing  off  any  number  of  dogs  that  might  dare  show 
incivility  to  his  pets. 

While  Mr.  MacTavish  went  in  to  present  himself  to 
the  chief  factor,  his  superior  offtc  er,  and  next  to  Sir 
George  Simpson,  the  highest  official  in  the  service,  Fer- 
gus had  the  four  teams  ranged  side  by  side,  and  then  he, 
with  Alec  and  Pai^anakes,  mounted  guard  over  them. 
There  were  scores  of  dogs  hanging  about,  many  of  them 
gaunt,  wolfish-looking  creatures,  that  Fergus  would  have 
hcen  ashamed  to  harness  up  even  to  a  freight   sledge, 


218 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


and  l:om  their  persistent  growls  it  was  evident  they  were 
by  no  means  disposed  to  give  the  visitors  a  kindly  recep- 
tion. 

Their  masters  were  much  more  amiably  inclined.  Thcv 
were  very  glad  to  see  the  newcomers,  particularly  when 
they  had  such  splendid  animals  to  show  as  were  in 
Fergus'  and  Mr.  Barnston's  teams.  They  crowded 
about  the  sledges  with  welcoming  faces,  and  Fergus  soon 
found  himself  the  centre  of  a  circle  of  clerks  and  em- 
ployees, whose  questions  concerning  affairs  at  Norway 
House,  and  the  incidents  of  the  journey  down,  he  took 
pleasure  in  answering.  His  dogs  were  greatly  admired, 
and  he  gave  a  very  graphic  account  of  the  race  between 
them  and  Mr.  Barnston's,  and  also  of  the  brilliant  way  in 
which  Bruce  had  saved  their  lives  when  lost  on  Lake 
Winnipeg,  the  effect  being  to  make  himself  and  his  team 
the  talk  of  the  settlement,  so  that  it  was  no  wonder  if 
his  young  head  subsequently  got  turned  a  little  by  the 
attentions  paid  him. 

Mr.  MacTavish  was  nearly  an  hour  gone,  for  in  the 
multitude  of  things  he  and  Mr.  Sutherland  found  to  talk 
about,  he  kept  no  account  of  the  time,  and  not  until  a 
halt  came  in  the  conversation  did  he  bethink  himself  of 
his  bov. 

*'  Hoot,  man  !  "  he  cried,  jumping  up.  "  I  clean  for- 
got aboot  Fergus.  The  laddie  maun  be  tired  waitin;: 
for  me.  Come  and  see  my  boy,  Mr.  Sutherland.  I'm 
verra  proud  of  him." 

Fergus'  tongue  was  wagging  busily  when  they  joined 
the  group,  and  as  they  came  up  behind  him,  he  did  not 
perceive  their  approach. 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


219 


"S — h!  "  whispered  Mr.  Sutherland.  *'Let  us  listen 
to  what  he's  saying." 

So  they  joined  his  audience  for  some  minutes  while 
he  rattled  away  quite  unconscious  of  their  presence. 

"No  wonder  you're  proud  of  him,"  said  the  chief 
factor  under  his  breath  to  Mr.  MacTavish  as,  having 
moved  forward  in  order  to  get  a  good  view  of  him,  he 
looked  admiringly  upon  Fergus'  bright,  exprcssiv  face 
and  listened  to  his  flow  of  interesting  talk.  "  I  would  I 
had  a  boy  like  him,"  and  Mr.  Sutherland  heaved  a  sigh, 
for  his  family  consisted  of  two  daughters,  and  he  longed 
for  a  son. 

Impatient  to  introduce  Fergus  to  the  chief  factor,  Mr. 
MacTavish  now  called  out : 

"  Gude  sakes,  laddie,  but  how  yer  tongue's  a-wagging. 
Come  here  now  till  I  present  you  to  Mr.  Sutherland." 

Blushing  like  a  girl  at  being  overheard  by  his  father 
who  he  supposed  was  still  in  the  house,  Fergus  broke 
off  what  he  was  saying  and  advanced  toward  Mr.  llac- 
Tavish,  who  then  introduced  him  to  Mr.  Sutherland. 

"I'm  very  glad  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Fergus," 
said  the  chief  factor,  giving  him  a  cordial  grasp  of  the 
hand,  **  and  welcome  you  to  Fort  Garry.  Who  knows 
but  some  fine  day  you'll  be  standing  in  my  shoes?  You 
seem  a  likely  lad,  and  'f  you  make  as  good  an  officer  of 
the  Company  as  your  father  has  been,  you'll  certainly  get 
on  well." 

Mr.  Sutherland's  appearance,  manner,  and  words  com- 
bined to  effect  a  complete  capture  of  F(  rgus'  heart.  He 
thouLjlit  him  the  most  handsome  and  attractive  man  he 
had  ever  met.     Yet  he  could  not  find  words  to  frame  a 


220 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


fitting  reply,  and  was  making  a  desperate  effort  to  stam- 
mer  c\t  something  when  the  chief  factor,  perceiving  his 
confusion,  took  him  familiarly  by  the  arm,  saying  : 

"  But  you  must  be  hungry,  my  boy,  and  no  doubt  you 
would  enjoy  a  good  wash  before  dinner.  Come  along 
with  me  to  the  house.  Come,  Mr.  MacTavish,  there's 
about  time  to  make  your  toilet  before  our  dinner  will  be 
ready." 

Following  their  host,  the  father  and  son  soon  found 
themselves  in  a  comfortable  room  where,  for  the  first 
time  since  leaving  home,  they  were  able  to  indulge  in  a 
thoroughly  good  wash,  and  vastly  did  they  both  enjoy  the 
luxury  of  soap  and  water  and  towels  galore.  They  had 
each  brought  with  them  in  their  carioles  a  bag  contain- 
ing a  complete  change  of  clothing,  and  when  they  had 
donned  their  clean  garments  they  felt  like  different 
beings,  and  quite  prepared  to  be  presented  to  Mrs.  Suth- 
erland and  her  two  charming  daughters. 

Very  delightful  too  was  it  to  sit  down  at  a  well- 
appointed  table  after  the  week  or  more  of  tea  and  pem- 
mican  in  the  snow  drifts,  and  Fergus  did  not  allow  his 
bashfulness,  which  hung  about  him  for  a  while,  to  in  any 
wise  interfere  with  a  proper  appreciation  of  the  generous 
fare  before  him. 

Mrs.  Sutherland,  seeing  he  felt  a  little  shy,  addressed 
herself  ''o  drawing  him  out,  and  her  feminine  tact  soon 
put  him  at  his  ease,  so  that  before  the  dinner  was  half 
through,  he  was  chatting  away  to  her  and  the  young 
ladies  with  as  nimble  a  tongue  as  ev  r. 

They  were  much  interested  in  hi?  account  of  tlie 
Oldens,  and  especially  of  little  Ruth.     Fergus  told  with 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


221 


a  great  deal  of  spirit  of  how  they  two  were  lost  in  the 
woods,  and  of  the  trouble  their  fathers  had  to  find  them. 
He  also  described  the  exciting  experience  they  had  in 
his  cariole,  when  his  dogs  set  off  in  chase  of  the  fox, 
and  such  merry  peals  of  laughter  did  he  evoke  from  his 
listeners  that  Mr.  Sutherland  and  Mr.  MacTavish,  busily 
discussing,  at  their  end  of  the  table,  weighty  matters  in 
connection  with  the  Company,  were  fain  to  suspend  their 
talk  and  join  Fergus'  audience. 

"What  a  sweet  little  friend  Ruth  must  be  !  "  said  Mrs 
Sutherland.     **  I  suppose  you  would  be  very  sorry  if  she 
were  to  go   away  from  Norway  House   now,  wouldn't 
you  ? 

"  Indeed  I  would,"  cried  I'crgus,  warmly.  *'  We'd  all 
be  sorry,  wouldn't  we,  father?"  turning  to  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish, who  nodded  assent. 

"But  you  would  be  more  sorry  than  anybody  else, 
wouldn't  you,  Fergus  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Sutherland,  who 
wanted  to  tease  him  a  little. 

Fergus  caught  her  meaning,  and  a  bright  blush  suffused 
his  cheeks.  He  did  not  know  just  how  to  answer.  So 
Mrs.  Sutherland,  smiling,  went  on  :  **  If  you  won't 
object  to  taking  a  bit  of  advice  from  an  old  woman, 
you'd  better  try  to  make  Ruth  so  fond  of  Norway  House 
tliat  she'll  never  want  to  leave  it.  But  I  mustn't  be 
taking  liberties  on  so  short  an  acquaintance.  You  were 
going  to  tell  us  about  your  bear  cub.     Please  go  on." 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  before  they  rose  from  the 
table,  and  Fergus  thought  he  had  never  enjoyed  a  dinner 
so  much  in  his  life.  To  be  the  centre  of  a  cin  le  of 
appreciative  listeners  was  a  new  experience  to  him  and 


222 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


[i:  ../ 


n  ' 


it 


put  him  on  his  mettle,  so  to  speak.  He  did  his  very  best 
to  be  entertaining,  and  displayed  in  a  marked  degree 
that  faculty  of  vivid  graphic  description  which  had  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  the  Oldens,  and  caused  them  to 
covet  him  for  tlieir  missionary  work. 

His  father  felt  very  proud  of  him.  He  was  greatly 
pierced  at  the  chief  factor's  remark  about  the  promisiivr 
future  awaiting  him  in  the  service  of  the  Company. 
Since  Fergus  had  confessed  his  drawings  toward  a  life 
like  Mr.  Olden's,  Mr.  MacTavish  resolved  not  merely  to 
discourage  and  oppose  such  ideas,  but  also  to  counteract 
them  by  putting  the  service  of  the  Company,  and  the 
boy's  prospects  therein,  in  as  attractive  a  light  as  possible. 
He  accordingly  congratulated  himself  upon  having 
brought  Fergus  with  him  to  Red  River.  Here  he  would 
see  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  at  its  best. 

The  Sutherlands  insisted  upon  the  MacTavishes  being 
their  guests  so  long  as  they  remained  at  Fort  Garry,  an 
arrangement  that  thoroughly  pleased  Fergus,  who  had 
quite  fallen  in  love  with  the  ladies,  and  felt  a  profound 
admiration  for  the  head  of  the  house.  He  had  never 
known  any  lack  of  actual  comfort  at  home,  but  in  this 
establishment,  as  befitted  that  of  the   most   im.nortant 

'  J. 

resident  official  of  the  great  Hudson's  Bay  Company, 
there  was  a  certain  degree  of  splendor  w  hich  greatly  im- 
pressed him.  He  did  not  fail  to  appreciate  the  easy 
luxury  that  marked  the  life  of  the  household,  nor  the 
importance  given  to  his  father  and  himself  by  their 
being  the  guests  of  the  chief  factor,  who  was  not  prune 
to  such  hospitality,  being  a  man  of  rather  reserved  and 
distant  disposition.     Indeed,  it  was  as  much  on  Fergus' 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISU. 


223 


account  as  on  his  father's  that  the  invitation  was  given, 
for  Mr.  Sutherland  had  taken  a  strong  fancy  to  the  boy 
at  once  upon  seeing  him,  and  wanted  to  have  him  at 
hand  during  his  stay. 

After  they  rose  from  dinner,  Fergus  said  he  must  go 
out  and  look  after  his  dogs,  whereupon  the  young  ladies 
asked  if  they  might  accompany  him.  They  were  de- 
lighted with  his  satiny  St.  Bernards  and  shaggy  New- 
foundlands. 

**What  perfect  beauties!"  exclaimed  Miss  Suther- 
land, in  tones  of  warmest  admiration.  "  I  never  saw 
such  splendid  creatures  in  my  life.  Will  they  let  us 
pat  them,  Fergus  ?  ' ' 

Fergus  assured  them  that  the  dogs  were  as  good- 
natured  as  kittens,  and  the  two  girls  proceeded  to  fondle 
them  in  a  way  that  would  have  made  some  of  their  ad- 
mirers, and  they  had  many,  for  they  were  the  belles  of 
that  region,  almost  wish  they  were  dogs,  in  order  to  be 
the  objects  of  such  charming  caresses. 

Having  made  sure  that  his  big  pets  wanted  for  noth- 
ing, Fergus,  under  the  guidance  of  his  fair  companions, 
went  the  rounds  of  the  Fort  and  settlement,  not  return- 
ing to  the  house  until  nightfall,  when  the  family  gathered 
for  the  evening  meal,  and  there  was  pleasant  talk  and 
luighter,  in  which  no  one  took  part  more  heartily  than 
he. 

Fergus  found  plenty  to  occupy  his  time  at  Fort  Garry, 
and  the  days  slipped  pleasantly  by  until  his  father  had 
attended  to  the  business  which  had  brought  him  there. 
Among  the  attentions  he  received  was  an  invitation  to  a 
dinner  given   at  Bachelor's  Hall,  as  the  clerks  called 


224 


FERGUS   ^lAC  TAVISH. 


their  quarters,  in  honor  of  the  promotion  of  one  of  their 
number  to  the  charge  of  a  post.  It  was  quite  a  brilliant 
affair  in  its  way,  the  big  dining  hall  being  gayly  deco- 
rated, and  the  most  sumptuous  repast  the  cooks  of  the 
establishment  could  devise  being  provided.  None  of  the 
older  officials  were  present.  It  was  a  decidedly  youthful 
gathering,  and  feeling  free  from  all  restraint  the  guests 
went  in  for  a  royal  good  time. 

Fergus,  who  had  never  been  in  such  gay  companv 
before,  was  at  first  somewhat  taken  aback  by  their  noisy 
hilarity,  but  he  soon  caught  the  spirit  of  the  occasion, 
and  entered  into  the  fun  as  heartily  as  any  of  them. 
Now  up  to  this  time  he  had  been  a  practical  teetotaler, 
without  ever  having  had  any  thought  about  the  matter. 
The  use  of  spirituous  liquors,  except  as  medicine,  was 
unknown  at  his  home,  and  he  had  never  tasted  wine  in 
his  life.  When,  therefore,  he  found  his  glass  filled  with 
a  clear,  brown  liquid  which  had  an  attractive  odor  and 
tempting  taste,  and  saw  everybody  about  him  sip[)ing  it 
with  great  gusto,  he  naturally  enough  followed  their 
example. 

The  wine  quickly  mounted  to  his  head,  and  its  exliila- 
rating  effect  was  exceedingly  pleasant.  He  felt  as  if  he 
were  treading  upon  air,  and  equal  to  the  performance  of 
anything  that  could  possibly  be  demanded  of  him.  The 
young  men  about  him,  some  of  whom  he  met  that  even- 
ing for  the  first  time,  seemed  to  him  the  finest  fellows  in 
the  world,  and  he  gravely  assured  them  that  if  he  were 
only  Sir  George  Simpson,  he  would  give  every  one 
of  them  charge  of  a  post  on  the  spot.  All  the  while  he 
continued   to  sip  more   and  more  of  the  magic   liciuid 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


225 


whicli,  strange  to  say,  appeared  to  have  no  effect  in 
quenching  his  thirst,  but  on  the  contrary  to  increase 
it.  There  were  songs  and  speeches  in  plenty,  and  he 
did  his  best  to  join  in  both,  creating  great  amusement 
by  his  interruptions  in  the  latter,  which  were  taken  in 
good  part.  Encouraged  by  the  laughter  his  remarks 
evoked,  he  presently  essayed  to  make  a  speech  himself, 
and  did  manage  to  get  out  some  disjointed  sentences 
before  his  neighbors  jerked  him  back  into  his  chair, 
where  he  remained  smiling  amiably  upon  all  around. 

As  the  night  advanced  the  fun  waxed  fast  and  furious, 
until  at  last  the  revelers  lost  all  control  of  themselves, 
and  when  a  daring  spirit  proposed  that  they  should  go 
and  serenade  the  chief  fac'  jr,  there  was  not  one  sober 
enough  to  realize  the  folly  of  the  suggestion.  Not  stop- 
ping to  put  on  coat  or  cap,  they  all  sallied  forth  into  the 
cold  night  air  and  proceeded  in  noisy  disorder  across 
the  square  to  Mr.  Sutherland's  house,  before  which  they 
baked,  and  began  to  sing  one  of  the  familiar  brigade 
songs  at  the  top  of  their  voices. 

As  it  happened,  Mr.  Sutherland  and  Mr.  MacTavish 
had  not  yet  retired,  although  the  hour  was  late  for  Fort 
Garry,  and  the  sound  of  the  singing  soon  reached  Ihi  ir 
ears  as  they  sat  in  the  parlor  enjoying  a  final  pipe  beibre 
bed. 

"Eh!  What's  that?"  asked  the  latter,  starting  up 
and  listening  intently.  "Where's  the  singing  going  on  ? 
I  did  na  hear  it  before." 

Mr.  Sutherland  smiled,  but  made  no  n^.ove  to  leave 
his  seat.  It  was  not  the  first  time  he  had  received  a 
serenade,    for    wliich    honors,    however,    he    shrewdly 


226 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


gave  the  credit  to  his  daughters  The  time  of  year,  to 
be  sure,  was  somewhat  unusual,  but  the  clerks  were  equal 
to  any  foolishness  when  they  set  out  for  a  lark. 

**  It's  only  the  boys  from  Bachelor's  Hall,"  said  he,  in 
an  indifferent  tone.  ''They've  escorted  Fergus  hoim-, 
probably,  and  are  bidding  him  'good-night.'  They 
often  make  as  much  noise  as  that.  I  im^vgine  you  and  I 
did  pretty  much  the  same  when  we  were  their  age." 

"Oh!  is  that  what  it  is?"  said  the  chief  trader. 
*'They  do  make  a  big  noise  certainly,  and  to  jutlge  bv 
their  singing,  the  most  of  them  maun  have  a  drat)[)ie  in 
their  ee.  I  think  I'll  just  step  to  the  do  ^  and  tell  IVr- 
gus  to  come  in." 

Taking  up  one  of  the  lamps,  Mr.  MacTavish  hastened 
to  the  door  and  threw  it  open.  The  light  revealed  ;i 
scene  he  never  forgot.  Standing  in  front  of  him  were  a 
dozen  or  more  young  fellows  bawling  out  a  chorus  with 
little  regard  for  time  or  tune.  Their  heads  were  hare,  they 
were  without  overcoats,  although  the  cold  made  hini 
shiver,  and  everv  one  of  them  was  the  worse  for  wine. 

In  their  very  midst  he  saw  Fergus,  swaying  to  and  fro 
as  he  did  hk  best  to  join  in  a  song  of  which  he  did  nut 
know  a  note.  His  face  bore  a  tell-tale  flush,  his  eyts 
were  standing  out  from  their  sockets,  and  lis  hair 
tumbled  about  his  forehead. 

"God  help  me!  the  laddie's  fou !  "  ex(  laimed  tiv: 
chief  trader,  in  horror-stru(  k  tones.  "Come  ye  her^'. 
Fergus.  Come  in  with  me  instantly."  And  stei'i'in; 
forward,  he  caught  the  poor  boy  by  the  arm,  drew  him 
into  the  room,  and  shut  the  door  with  an  angry  bang. 

His  first  impulse  was  to  give  his  son,  old  as  he  was,  a 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


227 


avish  hastened 


sound  thrashing,  but  before  he  could  carry  it  out  Mr. 
Sutherland,  startled  by  the  sharp  banging  of  the  door, 
came  into  the  hall. 

"  Hello  !  "  said  he,  not  noticing  Fergus'  condition  at 
first.  "  You  came  home  in  great  style  to-night."  Then 
observing  how  matters  stood,  he  added  in  a  quieter  tone  : 
"Ah!  I  see  the  ch'rks  have  been  taking  advantage  of 
vou,  Fergus.  They  shall  hear  from  me  to-morrow. 
You'd  better  get  off  to  bed  now." 

Fergus  had  not  the  slightest  desire  to  go  to  bed.  He 
wanted  to  rejoin  the  revelers,  whose  discordant  voices 
could  still  be  heard  as  they  surged  off  around  the  square, 
and  he  would  have  liked  to  argue  the  point.  But  his 
father,  who  had  uol  spoken  since  drawing  him  into  the 
house,  grasped  him  firmly  by  the  arm  and  hurried  him 
up  to  their  room,  locking  the  door  as  soon  as  they 
entered. 

Then  in  his  sternest  manner  he  commanded  him  to 
undress.  Findini::  he  was  hardlv  able  to  manatee  it  iiim- 
self,  he  gave  him  such  vigorous  assistance  that  in  a  few 
minutes  Fergus'  head  was  on  the  pillow,  and  it  had 
hardly  touched  it  before  he  sank  into  a  heavy  sleep. 

A  prey  to  poignant  emocions,  Mr.  MacTavish  was  in 
no  mood  for  sleep.  Fergus'  foolish  conduct  cut  him  to 
the  o'.iick.  He  had  never  before  felt  so  proud  (;f  ids  boy 
as  during  this  pleasant  visit  to  Fort  (larry,  for  every  one 
seemed  to  be  taken  with  the  lad,  and  as  was  natural  un- 
der su(h  encouragement,  Fergus  had  ajjpeared.it  his  best. 
•V)  one  had  seemed  more  pleasetl  with  Idm  than  Mr. 
Sutherland,  who  had  it  in  his  i)ower  greatly  to  advance 
liis  interests  when  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Company, 


228 


FERGUS  MAC  TAV.ISH, 


which  the  chief  trader  intended  should  be  in  the  course 
of  another  year. 

And  now  in  the  face  of  all  this,  while  a  guest  at  Mr. 
Sutherland's  house,  the  thoughtless  boy  had  disgraced 
himself  and  his  father  by  coming  home  from  a  dinner 
intoxicated  !  No  wonder  the  proud,  sensitive  Scotchman, 
in  the  first  flush  of  his  indignation,  failed  to  take  into  ac- 
count his  son's  youth  and  inexperience,  and  asked  him- 
self what  punishment  would  be  adequate  in  view  of  the 
seriousness  of  the  offence.  As  to  one  thing  he  at  once 
made  up  his  mind,  namely,  to  take  his  departure  from 
Fort  Garry  as  soon  as  possible.  To  remain  any  h)nger 
seemed  to  him  out  of  the  question.  The  story  of  the 
dinner  and  the  serenade  would  no  doi^bt  be  told  all  over 
the  i)lace,  and  Fergus  would  be  the  laughing  stock  of  the 
whole  staff  of  employees,  while  if  it  came  to  the  ladies' 
ears,  they  could  not  fail  to  be  greatly  disgusted. 

It  was  late  on  the  following  morning  when  Fergus 
awoke  from  the  heavy  stupor  which  had  succeeded  his 
unnatural  excitement.  For  some  time  he  could  not 
make  out  where  he  was,  or  what  was  the  matter  with  him. 
His  (ace  burned  as  with  fever,  his  tongue  was  j^arched 
and  swollen,  his  head  throbbed  with  excruciating  pain, 
He  seemed  unable  to  think  or  to  remember,  and  tossed 
about  in  his  bed  the  very  picture  of  misery.  The  one 
clear  thought  in  his  mind  was  to  get  some  water,  and, 
though  his  legs  tottered  under  him,  he  made  h'-;  way  to 
the  wash-stand  and  greedily  drank  from  the  ewer.  Ho 
had  just  got  back  to  the  bed  when  the  dour  opened  and 
Mr.  Mac'I  avish  eiiter/d  the  room. 

Never  before  had  Fergus  known   his  father  to  regard 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


229 


him  with  such  an  expression  as  his  face  now  bore.  Re- 
proach and  sorrow,  mingled  with  disgust,  marked  his 
countenance,  and  the  poor  boy,  still  too  muddled  to  re- 
call wliat  had  taken  place,  looked  at  him  with  wonder 
and  ai)prehension.  He  had  not  long  to  wait  for  an 
explanation. 

'' Get  ye  oop  and  dress  yersel,"  said  his  father,  in  a 
tone  as  stern  as  though  he  were  ordering  him  to  execu- 
tion.    "  We  maun  leave  this  place  the  day," 

Fergus  put  his  hand  to  his  aching  brow,  and  gazed  at 
his  father  in  a  sort  of  stupid  surprise,  but  made  no  move 
to  obey 

"Get  ye  oop,  I  say,"  repeated  the  chief  trader,  in  even 
sterner  tones  than  before.  **  And  if  ye  canna  dress  yer- 
sel,  I'll  put  the  claes  on  ye  as  I  took  them  off  ye  last 
night." 

**  What  is  it,  father?  What's  the  matter  ?  "  asked  Fer- 
gus, in  a  startled  voice. 

''What  is  it?"  echoed  Mr.  MacTavish,  bitterly. 
"  God  knows  it's  matter  enough  that  ye  should  bring 
disgrace  upon  yersel  and  a'  belonging  tae  ye  by  the 
doings  of  the  night." 

Fergus  strove  hard  to  recall  what  had  been  the  doings 
of  the  previous  night,  but  after  the  pKasant  dinner  where 
he  had  enjoyed  himself  so  much,  it  was  all  misty  and 
(onfused.  Not  knowing  what  to  reply  to  his  father,  he 
got  out  of  bed  id  began  to  dress  himself  in  silenc  c, 
while  Mr.  MacTavish  stood  gazing  out  of  the  window, 
debating  with  himself  liow  he  should  begin  to  make  his 
son  realize  the  full  extent  of  his  wrongdoing. 

At  length,  when  Fergus  had  managed  with  great  diffi- 


230 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISn. 


¥ 


culty  to  dress  himself  in  some  sort  of  fashion,  and  quite 
exhausted  with  the  effort  had  sank  into  a  chair  to  rc.-,i, 
the  father's  wrath  broke  forth.  What  he  said  need  not 
be  recorded.  He  was  deeply  stirred,  and  did  not  spare 
his  son's  feelings  by  attempting  to  be  nic  e  in  his  choi(e 
of  words.  Poor  Fergus  was  appalled.  He  had  never 
been  spoken  to  thus  before,  and  his  aching  head  ,vas  stiil 
too  confused  to  permit  him  to  clearly  understand  the 
cause  of  his  father's  indignation. 

Gradually,  however,  it  broke  upon  him,  and  he  began 
to  realize  what  a  sorry  fool  he  had  made  of  himsdf. 
Falling  on  his  knees  before  the  chief  trader,  he  covered 
his  tear-wet  f^ice  with  his  hands,  and  in  a  voice  half 
choked  with  sobs,  asked  to  be  forgiven. 

*'I  did'na  mean  to,  father.  Indeed  I  did'nt,"  he 
cried,  in  pitiful  tones.  ^'I  did'nt  know  what  1  was 
doing." 

Once  he  had  given  vent  to  his  pent-up  feelings,  a  re- 
action began  to  set  in  in  the  father's  fond  heart,  and 
lifting  Fergus  back  to  his  chair,  he  said  in  a  more  kindly 
tone : 

''  Nae  doot  ye  did'nt,  Fergus,  but  the  mi-^cliief's  done 
for  a'  that.     Just  tell  me  noo  how  it  happened." 

Fergus  then,  as  best  he  could,  described  the  dinner. 
and  how  he  had  partaken  freely  of  the  tempting  contents 
of  his  glass  without  ever  imagining  the  effect  it  would 
have  upon  him. 

Mr.  MacTavish  could  hardly  suppress  a  smile  as  the 
boy  with  perfect  candor  related  all  he  could  distinctly  re- 
member of  the  events  of  the  evening.  He  was  so  guik- 
less  in  his  utter  innocence  of  any  wrong  intent.     Vet 


FERGUS  MAC  TA.VISH. 


231 


intent.     Vet 


when  he  finished  there  were  tears  in  the  chief  trader's 
e,e.s,  and  his  voice  was  husky  as  he  said  : 

'•  You  were  not  to  blame  so  much,  puir  laddie,  as  those 
whom  you  were  with,  and  who  should  have  shown  you 
mail'  kindness  than  to  make  sport  of  you  liVe  that." 

''It's  the  first  and  last  time,  father,  that  any  one  shall 
ever  make  sport  of  me  in  that  way,"  said  Fergus,  very 
seriously.     '■  I've  learned  a  lesson  I'll  never  forget." 

Mr.  MacTavish  drew  him  toward  him  and  gave  him 
a  loving  embrace. 

"I  fear  I  spoke  too  harshly  tae  ye,  laddie,  but  indeed 
rcv  heart  was  very  sair.  Let  that  be  noo.  V/c'U  say 
nae  mair  aboot  it.  Come  doon,  and  we'll  tell  Mr. 
Sutherland  we  maun  be  going  this  afternoon." 

Fergus  shrank  from  facing  the  Sutherlands,  but  his 
father  assured  him  only  the  chief  factor  knew  of  what  had 
taken  place  the  previous  night,  and  comforted  by  this,  he 
went  down  stairs  where  Mr.  Sutherland  was  awaiting 
them  in  the  dining  room. 

"Hello!  Fergus,"  was  his  cheery  greeting.  ''How 
does  your  head  feel  this  morning?  Any  hints  of  an 
ache?  And  do  you  feel  as  if  you  would  like  to  drink  tlie 
Red  River  dry?" 

Feri^nis'  pale  face  grew  crimson.  The  joking  manner 
of  his  host  disconcerted  Inm  more  than  if  he  had  given 
him  a  severe  scolding,  and  he  was  completely  at  a  loss  for 
a  response  to  his  chaffing  questions. 

"Oh!  that's  all  riL'-ht,"  Mr.  Sutherland  went  on,  just  as 
if  Fergus  had  given  an  answer  in  the  affirmative.  *'  You'll 
soon  get  over  that.  I  gave  the  clerks  a  good  lecture  tliis 
morning.     Told  them  they  ought  to  l)e  ashamed  of  them- 


r 

"I- 

! 

232 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


selves  for  not  looking  after  you  better.  But  they're  a 
wild  lot.     Always  up  to  some  deviltry." 

When  Mr.  MacTavish  made  known  his  intention  of 
leaving  Fort  Garry  that  day.  Mr.  Sutherland  opposed  it 
stoutly,  but  all  his  remonstrances  were  in  vain.  Krgus 
was  even  more  anxious  to  get  away  than  his  father ;  and 
so  it  came  about  that  early  in  the  afternoon,  much  to  the 
regret  of  the  whole  household,  the  St.  Bernards  and 
Esquimaux  were  again  harnessed  up,  farewells  were  ex- 
changed, and  then,  amid  tinkling  of  bells  and  cra( king 
of  whips,  the  train  drew  out  of  the  Fort  to  begin  its  long 
journey  northward. 

The  dogs  seemed  to  understand  that  they  were  bound 
for  home.  Thoroughly  rested  by  their  week's  idleness, 
and  full  of  spirit,  they  tore  along  the  well-beaten  track  at 
the  top  of  their  speed. 

Fergus'  spirit?,  which  had  been  very  depressed,  began 
to  rise  at  once.  The  clear  cold  air  and  the  rapid  motion 
helped  him  to  feel  more  like  himself,  and  reviewing  the 
past  night  in  the  light  and  cheer  of  the  fine  winter  day, 
the  folly  he  had  been  led  into  did  not  seem  so  over- 
whelming as  it  did  at  first.  He  got  to  see  the  matter 
more  from  the  same  point  of  view  as  Mr.  Sutherland. 
The  clerks  observing  bis  freshness,  his  innocence  of  all 
worldly  ways,  had,  with  a  surprising  lack  of  the  true 
spirit  of  hospitality,  taken  advantage  of  him  for  their  own 
amusement.  There  certainly  had  been  no  intentional 
'vrong  on  his  part.  Thinking  it  over  in  this  way,  his 
heart  grew  lighter.  While  the  cariole  sped  over  the  hard- 
beaten  snow,  he  uttered  a  simple  prayer  for  full  forgive- 
ness, and  added  a  solemn  vow  never  to  knowingly  ex* 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


233 


pose  himself  to  temptation  again.  Others  might  play 
with  fire  by  sipping  wine,  but  as  for  him  he  would  be  a 
Nazaritc  as  long  as  God  gave  him  life. 

The  journey  home  was  accomplished  in  seven  days  of 
succes-jful  traveling.  No  storm  delayed  the  onward 
march  of  the  train.  The  dogs,  as  eager  to  get  back  as 
their  masters,  behaved  themselves  to  perfection.  The 
days  were  bright  and  the  nights  brilliant  with  moonlight. 
1  the  afternoon  of  the  seventh  day,  the  white  Esqui- 
maux were  pattering  gleefully  over  the  frozen  surface  of 
Playgreen  Lake,  and  ere  the  sun  sank  out  of  sight  behind 
the  western  hills,  Norway  House  loomed  into  sight. 
Then  all  attempt  at  order  was  forgotten.  Cheering  his 
dogs  on  to  their  utmost  exertions,  Fergus  drew  up  beside 
his  father  and  challenged  him  to  a  race  to  the  Fort  gate. 
Promptly  the  chief  trader  responded.  Alec  and  Papana- 
kes,  catching  the  infection,  put  the  whips  to  their  dogs, 
and  in  a  minute  all  four  teams  were  scampering  over  the 
level  lake  amid  cracking  of  whips  and  volleys  of  shouts, 
entreaties,  and  vociferous  abuse  from  the  different  drivers, 
for  the  half-breed  and  Indian  drivers  never  say  a  kind 
word  to  their  animals. 

Attracted  by  the  noise,  a  number  of  the  people  at  the 
Fort  rushed  out  to  see  what  was  the  matter.  One  glance 
was  sufficient  to  tell  them,  and  with  cheers  of  joy  they 
hastened  to  meet  the  racing  teams.  On  came  the  four 
sledges,  Fergus  and  his  father  neck  and  neck,  the  other 
two  close  behind.  Straining  every  nerve  they  swept  up 
the  bank  like  a  whirlwind,  aiid  dashed  into  the  midst  of 
the  delighted  crowd  to  be  overwhelmed  with  exuberant 
wclconiings. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


THE   VISIT   OF   THE    GOVERNOR. 


|i  ' 


\7ERY  joyous  was  the  welcome  of  the  travelers  by 
Mrs.  MacTavish  and  the  OlJens.  Their  absence 
had  been  greatly  felt  by  everybody  in  the  Fort,  but  of 
course,  particulai ly  by  their  own  dear  ones.  Traveling, 
either  in  winter  or  summer,  is  always  beset  with  dangers 
in  the  far  Northwest.  In  the  summer  there  are  storms 
and  rapids  which  may  swamp  boats  or  wreck  canoes, 
and  in  the  winter  there  are  the  ever-present  pitiless  cold, 
and  the  terrible  blizzard. 

When  Mr.  MacTavish  told  the  story  of  their  wonder- 
ful escape  from  the  blizzard  that  blinded,  and  did  its 
best  to  bury  them  too,  with  Fergus  helping  to  fill  in  the 
details,  there  was  many  a  sympathetic  shudder  fro::">  the 
little  group,  listening  with  breathless  attention,  and  when 
he  had  finished,  Mr.  Olden  impulsively  broke  fortli  iuto 
singing  "•'Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,"  in 
which  the  others,  fully  appreciating  the  situation,  joined 
with  all  their  hearts. 

While  the  story  was  being  told  Ruth  crept  over  to 
Fergus'  side,  and  twined  her  arm  in  his.  The  thought 
of  his  being  buried  in  the  snow,  away  off  in  Lake  Win- 
nipeg, filled  her  little  heart  with  horror,  and  alter  the 
doxology  was  sung,  she  whispered  shyly : 

"  Oh  !  Fergus,  Pm  so  glad  you  didn't  get  lost  in  the 
dreadfiil  snow-storm.  And  wasn't  dear  big  Bruce  splendid 


FEItGUS   MAC  TAVJSir. 


235 


to  find  the  way  like  that?  I'm  just  going  to  give  him 
such  a  great  hug,  and  kiss  him  too  for  doing  it," 

"Suppose  you  give  me  the  hug  and  kiss  instead," 
Fergus  suggested,  slyly. 

"I  will  if  you  want  me  to,"  answered  Ruth,  promptly. 
And  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  she  threw  her  arms 
about  his  neck,  drew  his  face  down  to  hers,  and  gave 
him  a  most  affectionate  kiss,  much  to  the  amusement  of 
the  older  folks. 

''What  dae  ye  think  of  our  winter  traveling  noo?  " 
the  chief  trader  asked  of  the  missionary  after  they  had 
settled  down  again  to  resume  the  conversation.  *'  Does 
what  I  told  you  make  you  think  ye'd  better  have  bided 
in  your  own  comfortable  parish,  where  ye  need  never  run 
sich  risks  o'  life,  instead  o'  coming  oot  into  this  wilder- 


ness 


■i " 


Mr.  Olden  smiled,  and  shook  his  head.  He  did  not 
know  how  much  more  anxious  than  before  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish  was  to  make  out  the  uselessness  of  his  undertaking. 
He  thought  the  question  was  simply  some  more  of  his 
good-humored  scepticism. 

"Not  a  bit  of  it,  Mr.  MacTavish,"  he  replied.  "  We 
thought  that  all  out  before  we  started,  didn't  we,  dear?" 
turning  to  his  wife,  who  responded  with  a  radiant  smile 
of  assent.  "  We  knew  we  would  have  to  endure  hard- 
ness as  good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  we  are  ready 
for  whatsoever  comes  to  us  in  the  path  of  duty.  As  for 
myself,  dear  friend,  if  God  saw  fit  to  bring  my  work  thus 
to  a  close,  I  cannot  conceive  of  any  more  beautiful  way 
lo  go  to  him  than  c  '  of  the  snow-covered  wilderness, 
lying  down  to  sleep  c.  the  purest,  loveliest  thing  that  he 


236 


FKRG'TS  MAC  TAVISH. 


has  created. ' '  He  paused  for  a  moment,  and  then  added 
as  ^f  saying  it  to  himself,  ''Wash  me,  and  I  shall  be 
whiter  than  snow." 

Mrs.  Olden  gave  a  Htttle  shudder,  but  her  voice  was 
firm  and  sweet  as  she  said  : 

"  For  my  sake,  husband  dear,  I  hope  that  that  will  not 
be  your  manner  of  leaving  us.  I  would  like  to  think 
that  we  will  both  be  spared  many,  many  y.ars,  until, 
by  God's  grace,  this  wilderness  has  begun  to  blossom, 
and  to  give  promise  of  the  fair  fruit  of  Christianity. 
That  time  will  come,  Mr.  MacTavish,  doubt  it  as  you 
may.  The  great  heart  of  God  goes  out  in  love  to  the 
poor  Indians  no  less  than  to  us;  and  if  those  whose 
privilege  it  is  to  enjoy  the  gospel  in  tlie  midst  of  civil- 
ixation  will  only  do  their  duty  in  the  matter,  there 
will  eie  long  be  missionaries  for  every  tribe  in  the  North- 


t  > 


west. 

''Won't  that  be  splendid!"  exclaimed  Fergus,  his 
face  aglow  at  so  inspiring  a  prophecy ;  for  he  conceived 
of  all  missionaries  being  just  like  the  Oldens,  and  w.s 
delighted  at  the  thought  of  every  Indian  tribe  having 
men  and  women  of  their  kind  to  teach  them  how  to  love 
and  serve  God. 

Fergus  was  going  on  to  say  something  more,  but  hap- 
pening to  glance  at  his  father,  he  observed  that  his  face 
bore  a  frown  of  disapproval,  and  remembering  their 
talk  in  the  camp  beside  Lake  Winnipeg,  ho  checked  him- 
self. 

His  mother,  little  imaginiiig  how  ill-pleased  the  chiet 
tra  ier  would  be  at  her  remark,  then  took  up  the  coiiver- 
salion. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


237 


''Indeed  it  will  be  splendid,"  said  she,  *'and  I 
greatly  wish  I  could  do  something  to  bring  the  good  time 
nearer.  Ye've  a  grand  work  to  do,  Mr.  Olden.  Were 
I  a  man  there's  nothing  I  would  rather  be  than  a  mis- 
sionary." 

"Well,  my  deai  Mrs.  MacTavish,"  said  Mr.  Olden, 
laying  his  hand  upon  Fergus*  head,  '*  since  you  cannot 
be  a  missionary  yourself,  would  you  not  like  to  see  this 
boy  whom  God  has  given  you  take  the  place  it  would 
have  been  your  joy  to  fill  ?  " 

The  frown  on  the  chief  trader's  face  was  gTowing 
darker,  although  no  one  noticed  it  save  Fergus. 

"I  would  that,  indeed,"  answered  Mrs.  MacTavish, 
"an'  it  were   the   desire  of  his  ain   heart  as  it  is  of 


mine. 


n 


"Dinna  speak  sich  foolishness,  Ailie,"  Mr.  MacTavish 
broke  in  with  a  suddenness  and  sharpness  of  tone  that 
startled  everybody.  **  Our  laddie  is  gaeing  into  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Company,  and  ye  need  na  be  puttin'  notions 
in  his  head  about  wasting  his  life  trying  to  make  Chris- 
tians oot  of  these  miserable  Indians." 

A  bombshell  breaking  in  their  midst  could  hardly  have 
been  more  of  a  surprise  than  this  outbreak  of  the  chief 
trader's  was  to  everybody  but  Fergus.  There  was  a 
degree  of  temper  and  determination  manifested  in  his 
voice,  for  which  the  placid  conversation  which  had  pre- 
ceded seemed  to  offer  no  justification  whatever.  The 
Oldens  looked  at  one  another  inquiringly,  as  though  to 
say: ''What  does  this  mean?"  "Why  is  he  so  excited?" 
And  Mrs.  MacTavish,  her  eyes  brimming  with  sudden 
tears,  for  she  could  not  remember  the  day  when  her  hus- 


238 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


band  had  spoken  so  harsldy  to  her  before,  said  with 
quivering  bps  : 

**I  did  na  know  ye  thocht  it  such  foobsbness,  Durralj 
dear ;  and  I  shaU  say  nae  more  aboot  it  sin  ye  are  not 
pleased." 

Reabzing  that  he  had  been  too  al)rupt,  and  touched 
by  his  wife's  evident  feeling,  Mr.  MaeTavish,  in  a  much 
gentler  tone,  sought  to  make  some  amends. 

**  Did  I  sjieak  too  sharply,  Ailie?  Well,  I  did  na 
mean  to,  but  dinna  mind  that.  Our  Fergus  is  s^oini; 
into  the  Company  next  year  maybe,  for  he'll  be  full  dx- 
teen  years  then,  ye  know ;  and  if  God  is  gudo  to  him 
and  he  is  gude  to  himself,  perhaps  ere  you  and  I  leave 
this  world  we'll  see  him  higher  up  than  ever  his  father 
has  got.  So  say  nae  more  aboot  his  being  a  mis- 
sionary." 

The  Oldens  felt  they  had  no  part  in  this  conversation, 
and  when  IMr.  MacTavish  had  finished  speaking,  Mrs. 
Olden,  with  reaciy  leminine  tact,  changed  the  current  of 
the  talk  by  asking  the  chief  trader  some  questions  about 
Fort  Garry  and  the  Sutherlands,  who  had  been  very 
kind  to  them  on  their  way  to  Norway  House. 

Mr.  MacTavish  gladly  accepted  the  op])ortunity,  and 
presently  the  tongues  of  all  were  wagging  as  freely  again 
as  though  nothing  had  occurred  to  disturb  the  peaceful 
atmosphere.  But  Fergus  kept  what  had  been  said  in  his 
heart,  and  never  knelt  down  to  pray  without  a  iKtition 
that  God  would  change  his  father's  mind. 

Although  Mr.  MacTavish  was  not  himself  conscious  of 
it,  there  was  henceforth  a  certain  change  in  his  manner 
toward  the  Oldens,  which  caused  the  missionary  to  feel 


FKiKius  mac;  TAvnsir. 


2:]9 


all  the  more  anxious  to  cstal)lish  a  home  of  liis  own,  and 
bo  no  longer  dependent  upon  the  chief  tradrr's  hospital- 
ity, ll  was  not  that  Mr.  MacTavish  took  any  actual 
dislike  to  eit'ier  Mr.  or  Mrs.  Ohlen.  Although  he  con- 
tinued stoutly  scei)tical  as  to  the  jirartical  value  of  the 
enterprise  to  which  they  had  consecrated  their  lives, 
tlure  was  no  falling  off  in  his  resi)ect  and  admiration  for 
the  character  of  each.  The  feeling,  that  all  unknown  to 
liimsclf,  created  a  kind  of  Ijarrier  between  them,  was  o;ie 
ofje;ilousy  as  to  their  influence  over  his  son.  Ui)on  the 
qjcstiun  as  to  Fergus'  future  they  represented  the  side  to 
which  he  was  resolutely  opposed ;  and  although  !~e  never 
for  one  moment  imagined  that  they,  after  what  had  l)ecn 
?aid,  would  strive  in  any  way  to  cross  his  desires  or  de- 
signs, still,  no  matter  how  silent  they  might  be,  their 
very  i)resence  could  not  fail  to  exert  an  influence  which 
would  help  to  keep  alive  tlie  notions  whose  expression  by 
both  Fergus  and  his  mother  had  aroused  his  anger. 

During  the  winter  Mr.  Olden  had  not  been  idle.  See- 
ing clearly  that  Norway  Mouse  was  in  many  resj)ects 
iinsuited  for  a  centre  of  operations,  while  at  the  same  time 
it  would  be  expedient  to  remain  somewhere  within  con- 
venient reach  of  it,  he  had  ex^Jored  the  whole  neighbor- 
hood, and  made  diligent  inquiry  of  those  who  had  long 
been  familiar  with  the  locality,  with  the  result  that  he 
had  selected  as  the  site  of  his  station  an  island  in  Play- 
green  Lake,  about  two  miles  from  Norway  House. 

This  choice  had  many  advantages.  The  situation  of 
the  island  was  remarkably  pleasant.  Its  soil  was  known 
to  be  rich  and  productive.  At  that  distance  from  the 
Forr  the  mission  would  be  entirely  undisturbed   by  the 


240 


FERGUS   MA.C  TAVISIT. 


boat  brigades  in  summer,  and  dog-trains  in  winter, 
which  often  turned  the  place  into  a  pandemonium  wiih 
the  wild  revelry  of  the  voyageurs  and  guides,  who  would 
pawn  the  very  clothes  they  \  'ore  in  order  to  purchase  the 
drink  that  was  the  bane  of  their  lives,  and  which  was  al- 
ways to  be  had  in  plenty  at  the  Company's  posts.  In 
other  ways  too,  the  island  commended  itself  to  both  Mr, 
and  Mrs.  Olden,  and  they  awaited  with  impatience  the 
coming  of  spring,  when  they  would  be  able  to  begin 
operations. 

Fergus  shared  their  impatience,  although  in  his  case 
the  causes  were  different.  He  always  found  those  North- 
ern winters  cruelly  long,  and  wearied  for  the  summer,  so 
beautiful,  and  alas  !  so  brief.  This  spring  he  felt  particu- 
larly restive.  The  new  thoughts  which  since  the  coming 
of  the  Oldens  had  stirred  within  him  produced  an  ac- 
tivity of  mind  unknown  to  him  before.  His  life  hitherto 
had  been  just  what  any  ordinary  healthy,  hearty  boy's 
would  be,  situated  as  he  was.  Thanks  to  Sir  George 
Simpson's  annual  gift  of  books,  his  intellect  had  by  no 
means  been  suffered  to  lie  fallow.  On  the  contrary,  he 
possessed  a  knowledge  of  history,  geography,  and  the 
other  elements  of  a  sound  education  that  would  havel)een 
creditable  to  the  average  city  boy  of  his  age,  who  had  en- 
joyed the  advantages  of  regular  schooling. 

Under  the  stimulating  influence  of  the  Oldens,  the 
range  of  his  mind  had  greatly  enlarged.  The  great  con- 
cei)tion  of  his  having  a  life  work  to  do  had  seized  upon 
him,  and  thrilled  him  with  a  novel  sense  of  ])ersonal  sig- 
niri(\ince.  Whether,  as  his  father  wished,  he  shoulil 
enter  the  service  of  the  Company,  or  whether,  as  he  him- 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


241 


ic{  preferred,  he  should  set  about  fitting  himself  for 
fallowing  in  Mr.  Olden's  footsteps,  in  either  case  his 
whole  heart  must  go  into  the  matter,  for  upon  him  lay 
the  chief  responsibility  for  the  issue. 

Thus  all  having  their  own  reasons,  the  chief  trader,  his 
jon,  and  his  guests  counted  the  days  until  the  warni  sun 
would  release  the  bonds  of  winter,  and  set  all  nature 
free.  Meantime  the  sun  seemed  to  be  in  no  particular 
hurry  to  meet  their  wishes.  The  weeks  crept  slowly  by, 
and  still  the  snow  and  ice  obstinately  lingered.  Would 
the  uigns  of  winter  never  depart  ? 

At  length,  as  if  repenting  of  its  dilatoriness,  and 
anxious  to  make  amends,  the  sum.mer  came  with  a  rush. 
The  last  drifts  of  discolored  snow  vanished  from  the  shel- 
tered hollows  ;  the  ice  on  Playgreen  Lake,  honeycombed 
and  rotten,  broke  up  and  disappeared,  permitting  the 
1  ng  imprisoned  waters  once  more  to  rejoice  in  the  sun- 
light, and  make  music  with  the  rippling  laughter  of  their 
waves  ui)on  the  shore ;  the  woods  donned  their  gay  garb 
of  green,  and  the  glades  their  grassy  mantle.  It  was  as 
though  nature  had  broken  forth  into  a  broad  smile  of 
good  humor,  which  found  a  ready  response  in  the  hearts 
of  every  one  at  Norway  House.  To  Fergus,  no  summer 
had  ever  been  more  welcome,  and,  as  would  in  time  ap- 
pear, no  summer  would  be  more  eventful. 

"  I  hope  father  will  be  goin<j  up  to  York  Factory 
a,i,'ain,"  said  he  to  his  mother,  one  day,  **and  will  take 
me  with  him.  I  don't  want  to  spend  the  whole  summer 
here." 

"  Ye'd  like  to  be  a  great  traveler,  wouldn't  ye,  dear  ?  " 
Mid  his  mother,  with  a  half-suppressed  sigh  at  the  thought 

Q 


242 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


of  his  leaving  her  for  long  periods  of  time  ;  **  and  I  caniu 
blame  you.  It's  little  o'  tlie  big  warld  ye  can  sec  from 
Norway  House,  or  even  from  York  Factor- ,  (or  tiiat 
matter." 

"  Indeed,  I  would  like  well  to  see  the  workl  a  bit. 
mother,"  responded  Fergus.  "  And  Mrs.  Olden  said," 
he  continued,  his  face  lighting  up  as  he  recalled  the 
pleasant  prediction,  ''that  I  was  sure  to  travel  a  great 
deal  if  I  lived  to  be  a  man." 

"  Do  you  ever  feel  sorry,  Fergus  dear,"  asked  Mr^ 
MacTavish,  with  a  very  thoughtful  expression,  "  tliat  ve 
were  na  born  in  a  big  city  like  Montreal,  or  Li)nd()ii 
even,  instead  of  out  in  this  wilderness  where,  saviiiLj  tlu 
people  of  the  Company,  there's  naething  but  Indian^aiui 
half-breeds?" 

**  No,  mother,  I  don't,"  replied  Fergus,  promptlv. 
"  I'm  glad  I  was  born  liere,  and  I'm  sure  no  boy  in  ilu 
big  cities  has  had  a  better  time  than  I  have,  but  wiicii 
I'm  a  man  I  want  to  go  to  the  big  cities,  and  be  in  tliem 
a  good  long  while." 

**  Perhaps  some  day  Mr.  Olden  will  be  going  ha<  k  t ) 
the  city  he  came  from,"  suggested  Mrs.  MacTavish,  "  ;iiiii 
then  ye  might  go  with  him.     Would  ye  not  like  that?" 

*'Aye,  but  I  would,  mother,"  responded  Ket^Mis, 
eagerly.       *'  I  only  wish  he  was  going  back  this  sum- 


mer. 


P)Ut  of  course,  Mr.  Olden  had  no  idea  of  retiirniii,;' t  > 
Ills  Ontirio  home  that  sunuuer,  nor  for  many  suniiiuri 
to  come  ;  so  tliat  I'Vrgus'  i)rospects  were  not  very  initiniv 
ing,  so  far  as  tliey  depended  upon  him.  Tliis  l'"ei.;';> 
knew  well  enough,  but  he  did  not  know  that  before  loiig' 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVJSH. 


243 


he  would  be  setting  forth  on  a  journey,  in  the  course  of 
which  he  would  see  a  great  deal  more  of  the  northern 
ftilderness  than  he  had  before,  for  the  opportunity 
came  in  a  most  unexpected  manner. 

A  few  weeks  after  the  conversation  just  mentioned, 
the  great  event  of  the  year  at  Norway  House  took  place, 
namely,  the  anpual  visit  of  His  Excellency,  the  Gover- 
nor, Sir  George  Simpson.  He  arrived  one  fine  after- 
noon toward  the  end  of  June,  and  the  post  was  thrown 
into  a  state  of  the  liveliest  excitement  by  the  sight  of 
his  two  magnificent  canoes  rounding  the  point  that  hid 
Norway  House  from  the  Lake. 

Sir  George  always  traveled  in  the  utmost  state  circum- 
stances would  permit.  He  held  very  exalted  opinions 
of  both  his  office  and  himself,  and  required  at  the  hands 
of  his  subordinates  as  much  deference  as  if  the  rude 
and  sometimes  squalid  Forts  were  the  Court  of  St. 
James.  Hence,  his  visits  were  always  looked  forward 
to  with  a  good  deal  of  trepidation.  Everything  at  the 
post  was  put  in  the  best  order  possible.  Everybody, 
from  the  head  official  down  to  the  dogs,  was  on  his  best 
bjhavior;  and  there  was  a  general  sigh  of  relief  when  the 
great  rnan  took  his  dejarture,  particularly  if  he  had  dis- 
covered nothing  to  stir  his  ire  during  his  visit. 

His  retinue  consisted  of  his  jjrivate  se(  retary,  his 
vak't,  his  (  ook,  and  sixteen  Ircxpiois  Indians,  the  finest 
canoemen  in  the  entire  service,  not  one  of  them  under 
six  feet  in  height,  and  all  sujierl)  specin\ens  of  strength 
and  endurance.  They  had  two  canoes  of  the  kind 
known  us  canotcs  de  maifrc,  huge  affairs  of  the  best 
birch  bark,  thirty-five  feet  in  length,  five  feet  wide  amid- 


w^       ^— 

i^l 

1 

a 

244 


FERGUS  MAG  TAVISH. 


ships,  and  two  feet  and  a  half  deep,  capable  of  carryiri'^ 
a  ton  of  cargo  besides  their  eight  paddlers,  and  half  as 
many  passengers. 

These  canoes  were  decorated  to  an  almost  fantastic 
extent,  and  fitted  up  in  the  most  luxurious  style.  Fergus 
never  got  quite  accustomed  to  their  sumptuousness.  Tliev 
always  filled  him  with  a  sort  of  awe,  which,  however, 
he  took  pains  to  conceal  from  Ruth,  to  whom,  after  Sir 
George  had  gone  up  to  the  Fort,  he  proudly  pointed  out 
their  splendor  and  beauty,  and  had  much  to  say  abuut 
the  famous  governor  who  had  been  so  good  to  him. 

Ruth  had  many  questions  to  ask.  She  was  as  pro- 
foundly impressed  as  Fergus  could  wish. 

''And  is  Sir  George  a  greater  man  than  your  father, 
Fergus?  "  she  innocently  inquired.  "  Can  he  make  him 
do  anything  he  wants  him  to  ?  " 

She  had  got  so  accustomed  to  see  the  chief  trader 
exercise  unquestioned  sway  at  the  Fort  that  no  more 
effective  proof  of  the  governor's  greatness  could  have 
been  given  her  than  that  he  might  order  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish  about. 

"  Aye,  that  he  can,"  answered  Fergus,  *'  and  nc.  only 

.her,  but  Mr.  Sutherland  too." 

**  How  nice  it  must  be  to  be  able  to  order  everybody 
else  about  just  as  you  please,  and  not  to  have  any  one  Id 
order  you  about  !  "  said  Ruth,  with  a  most  i)athetic  little 
sigli ;  for,  like  all  children  ab  )unding  in  animal  spirits, 
she  came  in  for  a  good  deal  o^  i)arental  restraint,  ami 
consequently  often  imagined  that  she  had  to  stand 
rather  more  disci i)line  than  was  at  all  necessary. 

Fergus  gave  her  a  very  sympathetic  smile.     The  sage 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


245 


sentiment  which  she  had  just  expressed  was  one  he  was 
prepared  to  heartily  endorse.  He  too,  did  not  have  his 
own  way  by  any  means,  as  much  as  he  liked ;  but  if  he 
were  only  Sir  George  Simpson,  who  would  there  be  to 
sav  no  to  him  ? 

"I  just  wish  I  were  the  governor,"  he  exclaimed,  al- 
most unconsciously. 

"  And  what  would  you  do  if  you  were  the  governor  ?  " 
inquired  a  voice  behind  him,  in  a  tone  of  kindly  in- 
terest. 

Fergus  wheeled  about  with  a  start,  and  there  was  Sir 
George  himself,  regarding  him  with  an  amused  expres- 
sion, he  having  returned  for  something  he  had  left  in  his 
canoe. 

Fergus  blushed  from  chin  to  forehead,  and  hung  his 
head  in  embarrassed  silence. 

"Come,  now,  Fergus,  don't  be  afraid  to  out  with  it," 
said  Sir  George,  with  a  smile  of  friendly  encouragement. 
"What  would  you  do  if  you  were  the  governor?" 

Without  venturing  to  look  up,  Fergus  murmured  in  a 
tone  scarcely  audible  : 

"  I  was  just  thinking  that  if  I  were  the  governor  there 
would  be  no  one  to  order  me  about,  and  I  could  do  as  I 
liked." 

Sir  George  gave  a  gentle  laugh,  and  patted  Fergus  on 
the  shoulder.  **  It's  not  doing  what  you  like,  but  doing 
what  is  best,  that  brings  real  happiness,  my  lad.  I  can 
easily  guess  how  your  thoughts  were  running,  and  I 
dun't  blame  you.  It's  never  so  })leasant  to  obey  orders 
as  to  L;ive  them,  l^ut,  remem1)er  tliis,  Fergus;  it's  only 
hy  ohjying  orders  faithfully,  that  we  can  learn  to  give 


r 

I 

246 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


I 


them  rightly.  If  I  had  not  learned  that  lesson  well,  I 
would  never  have  been  governor."  And  then  wiih  one 
of  his  kindliest  smiles,  the  great  man  went  on  his  way. 

The  incident  impressed  Fergus  deeply.  The  idea 
that  Sir  George  Simpson  should  ever  have  had  to  obey 
orders  from  other  people  came  upon  him  with  great 
force. 

"  Ruth,"  said  he,  in  a  very  serious  tone,  "  if  the  gov- 
ernor didn't  always  have  his  own  way,  we  need  na 
grumble  at  having  to  obey  our  fathers  and  mothers,  need 


we. 


>  > 


But  Ruth  was  in  no  hurry  to  assent  to  this.  AVhai.ver 
the  governor  might  say,  it  was  a  great  bother  not  being 
allowed  to  do  as  one  pleased,  and  she  was  too  honest  to 
pretend  she  thought  otherwise. 

Having  admired  the  canoes,  and  their  stabvart  dusky 
crews,  to  their  hearts'  content,  the  two  young  jjcople 
went  back  to  the  Fort,  where  they  found  Sir  George 
holding  a  kind  of  informal  levee  before  the  chief  trader's 
door.  He  was  evidently  well  pleased  with  the  general 
appearance  of  affairs  nt-  the  post,  and  in  excellent  humor. 
The  Oldens  he  had  known  before,  having  met  them  wlien 
they  were  on  tlieir  way  northwestward,  and  through  his 
kindness  their  journey  had  been  greatly  expedited,  as  he 
gave  orders  that  all  possible  assistance  should  be  ren- 
dered them  by  the  officials  of  the  Company.  Having 
asked  Mr.  MacTavish  a  number  of  questions  about  the 
state  of  things  at  the  P'ort,  and  having  received  satisfac- 
tory rei)lies,  lie  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  mis- 
sionary : 

**And  now,  Mr.  Olden,"  said  he,  **  let  me  ask  you 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


247 


e,  "if  the  <tov- 


me  ask  vou 


sonictliing  about  your  enterprise.     What  are  the  pros- 
pects with  regard  to  it?  " 

"Very  good,  indeed,  Sir  George,"  answered  the  mis- 
sionary. "I  have  been  j)reaching  to  the  Indians  with 
the  aid  of  an  interpreter  ever  since  I  got  settled  here, 
and  I  may  say  with  truth  that  they've  heard  the  word  of 
God  gladly." 

'•lUit  I  suppose  you're  learning  the  Cree  language, 
and  will  soon  be  able  to  speak  to  them  directly?  "  con- 
tiiuied  the  governor. 

"Oh,  yes,"  replied  Mr.  Olden.  ''I  have  been  hard 
at  work  all  winter,  and  I  can  get  along  in  some  sort  of 
fashion  already.  Before  next  winter  I  hope  to  speak 
quite  fluently." 

"And  are  you  fully  satisfied" — the  governor's  face 
bore  an  expression  half  of  wonder,  half  of  admiration, 
as  he  looked  into  the  missionary's  earnest,  hopeful  coun- 
tduuKc — *'  that  the  game  will  be  worth  the  candle — that 
tliLse  i)oor  pagans  can  ever  be  changed  into  respectable 
Christians?  " 

"Sir  George,"  answered  Mr.  Olden,  his  face  becom- 
ing transformed  by  the  heroic  fixedness  of  puri)ose  that 
inspired  him,  "were  the  entire  possessions  of  the  Iliid^ 
'"Oil's  bay  Company  mine,  I  would  without  a  moment's 
hesitation  pledge  them  to  be  forfeited  if  the  gospel  tail 
tn  win  as  glorious  victories  in  this  great  Northwest  as  it 
has  ever  done  in  any  other  i)art  of  the  heathen  world." 

Pleased  with  the  missionary's  sanguine  enthusiasm,  and 
yiekling  to  the  generous  impulse  it  stirred  within  him, 
Sir  George  asked  : 

"And  have  you  decided  where  to  establish  your  mis- 


248 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


si'  .  station?     Would   you  like  to  remain  here  at  tlie 

FOK?" 

''We  have  been  most  kindly  dealt  with  here,  Sir 
George,"  replied  Mr.  Olden,  looking  gratefully  toward 
Mr.  MacTavish.  ''Mr.  MacTavish  could  not  have  done 
more  for  us  than  he  has,  and  we've  had  a  very  happv 
winte  B;:'  up  m  careful  consideration  I  am  convinced 
that  \i  .vorj'i!  be  better  for  the  mission  not  to  be  at  tiie 
Fort  itb  ^L  i-  a  little  way  from  it,  and  so  I  liavc 
chosen  that  islaua,  just  out  th*!re  in  the  lake,  for  the  siic 
of  our  station.     It  has  many  advantages." 

"I  think  you  have  done  wisely,  Mr.  Olden,"  said 
Sir  George.  "Do  you  intend  to  begin  building  right 
away  ?  "  ^ 

"I  have  already  got  out  the  timber  that  will  be  re- 
quired, Sir  George,"  answered  the  missionary;  "and 
I'm  going  right  ahead,  so  as  to  have  our  home  furnished 
before  winter.  Next  summer,  God  willing,  we  will  build 
a  little  church  to  hold  our  services  in." 

"Very  good,  indeed,"  said  Sir  George,  heartily. 
"  I'm  glad  to  have  the  opportunity  of  sharing  in  so  ex- 
cellent an  enterprise.  Will  you  please  accept  from  me 
the  amount  of  fifty  pounds,  as  my  own  subscription,  and 
on  behalf  of  the  Company  I  promise  you  an  annual 
grant  of  the  same  sum  to  assist  in  carrying  on  your 
work." 

How  the  faces  of  the  missionary  and  his  wife  beamed 
with  delight  and  gratitude  at  this  munificent  declaration. 
so  entirely  unexpected,  yet  so  providentially  welcome ! 
Springing  from  his  seat,  Mr.  Olden  seized  the  governor's 
hand,  and  clasped  it  between  both  of  his. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


249 


Lin  here  at  tli 


"Sir  George,"  he  exclaimed,  "I  cannot  put  into 
words  my  gladness  and  gratitude,  but  the  Lord  himself 
will  reward  you  for  thus  helping  on  his  glorious  cause. 
'This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvelous  in  our 
eyes,'  "  he  added  reverently. 

Sir  George  seemed  quite  touched,  but  sought  to  pass 
it  off  by  saying,  in  a  tone  of  assumed  indifference  : 

"  Tut !  tut !  It's  I  that  ought  to  be  grateful  for  the 
opportunity  of  helping  a  little  in  so  good  a  work." 

Fergus  had  been  listening  to  this  conversation  w!  h 
intense  interest,  and  when  Sir  George  announc  d  Im 
beneficent  intentions  he  had  hard  work  to  r^  si  the 
temptation  to  give  a  hearty  cheer.  Fifty  pounds  st  m^d 
such  an  immense  sum  of  money.  Why,  surel'  "t  ^' ould 
alone  be  sufficient  to  build  the  house  for  the  missionary ; 
and  then  fifty  pounds  more  every  year  !  That  was  good 
news  indeed  !  His  admiration  for  the  governor  rose  to 
fever  heat.  He  thought  him  the  greatest,  kindest  man 
ill  all  the  world,  and  wondered  if  he  would  ever  come  to 
be  anything  like  him  ;  for  oh  1  how  splendid  it  was  to  be 
able  to  do  so  much  good,  to  have  the  power  to  confer 
such  benefits  on  others. 

Mrs.  MacTavish  now  appeared  to  announce  that  supper 
was  ready. 

''  I,  for  one,  am  very  glad  to  hear  it,"  said  Sir  George, 
offering  his  arm  to  Mrs.  Olden  with  as  much  grace  as  it 
they  were  in  a  London  drawing  room  ;  and,  following  in 
his  wake,  the  others  took  their  seats  at  the  table. 

In  making  ready  for  her  distinguished  guest,  the  chief 
trader's  wife  had  taxed  the  entire  resources  of  the  estab- 
lishment, with   the   result   of  providing  a   repast  fully 


250 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


y-'orthy  of  the  occasion.  Sir  George  was  in  great  good 
humor.  The  pleasant  sense  of  having  done  a  good  deed, 
the  evident  admiration  he  commanded,  the  abundant 
store  oi  temping  dishes,  and  the  keen  appetite  for  them 
his  long  paddle  up  the  river  had  given  him,  all  combined 
to  put  him  in  the  best  of  spirits,  and  with  story,  joke, 
and  shrewd,  sharp  repartee  he  proved  himself  the  prince 
of  entertainers.  So  thoroughly  did  he  put  the  others  at 
their  ease,  that  they  too  appeared  at  their  best.  Neither 
the  chief  trader  nor  the  missionary  had  ever  heard  eac  h 
other  talk  so  well.  And  the  same  was  to  be  said  of  their 
wives.  There  was,  in  fact,  a  general  loosenini^;  of 
tongues,  which  surprised  no  one  more  than  it  did  the 
posse'^sors  of  those  tongues.  The  conversation  never 
flagged  for  a  moment,  tliough  they  sat  two  full  hours  at 
the  table,  and  darkness  was  drawing  down  ere  the\  rose 
from  their  seats. 

Fergus  discreetly  confined  himself  to  ^teniny,  but 
enjo}ed  the  flood  of  facile  talk  as  much  a.s  anybody, 
although  one  thing  that  happened  in  the  course  of  the 
supper  made  him  feel  rather  uncomfortable  for  a  while. 

Sir  George  was  very  fond  of  his  wine,  and  always  car- 
ried a  goodly  supply  in  his  canoe.  Soon  after  they  sat 
down  to  table  he  despatched  his  servant  for  a  bottle  of 
his  favorite  beverage,  and  when  it  arrived  pressed  tlic 
others  to  join  him  in  disposing  of  it.  The  MacTavi.shes 
were  glad  enough  to  accept,  but  the  Oldens  ^^nurteoiuly 
refused.     Turning  then  to  Fergus,  Sir  George  said  : 

''Fergus,  my  man,  you'll  have  a  drop,  won't  you? 
It's  only  claret.     Try  a  sup  in  some  water." 

The  instant  he  spoke  to  him,  there  flashed  into  Ferpis' 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


251 


mind  the  recollection  of  that  experience  at  Fort  Garry, 
the  shame  of  which  it  seemed  to  him  he  would  never 
forget,  and  to  which  no  reference  had  been  made  by 
either  his  father  or  himself  since  their  return.  The  blood 
mounted  hotly  to  his  face.  He  cast  one  appealing,  piii- 
fiil  glance  at  his  father,  who,  until  then,  saw  nothing 
significant  in  the  governor's  genial  request,  and  then 
hung  his  head,  quite  unable  to  make  any  reply. 

Sir  George  looked  at  him  in  surprise;  and  all  the 
others,  save  the  chief  trader,  were  greatly  puzzled  to 
understand  why  a  simple  invitation  to  sip  a  little  wine 
should  throw  him  into  such  confusion.  Mr.  MacTavish 
hastened  to  his  rescue,  saying  in  an  off-hand  way : 

"  Don't  press  the  laddie,  Sir  George.  He  does  na  like 
the  wine,  and  he's  afraid  to  offend  you  by  refusing  it." 

Accepting  this  clever  explanation,  which  was  accurate 
enough,  and  yet  did  not  betray  the  boy's  secret,  Sir 
George  said,  with  a  good-humored  laugii  : 

"All  right,  Fergus,  let  the  bottle  pass.  You'll  never 
be  the  worse  for  doing  so,  though  I  confess  to  having  a 
great  liking  for  the  stuff  myself. ' ' 

Then  stnrtin  ^  off  the  conversation  again,  the  incident 
was  soon  forgotten,  and  the  chief  trader's  suggestion 
satisfying  the  curiosity  of  the  others,  Fergus,  greatly  to 
his  relief,  heard  no  more  about  the  matter. 

The  following  morning  Sir  George  made  a  thorough 
inspection  of  the  establishment.  The  furs  that  had  ac- 
cumulated during  the  winter  were  overhauled,  and  tiieir 
value  computed  ;  the  goods  in  store  were  examined,  and 
suggestions  made  as  to  future  supplies ;  the  books  were 
looked  into ;    the   clerks   were  c^uestioned   as   to   their 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


knowledge  of  the  business,  and  their  liking  for  the  life ; 
all  who  had  any  complaints  to  make,  or  gricvau*  e;;  tu 
ventilate,  were  attentively  heard,  and  their  statemcius 
noted  by  the  private  secretary,  who  was  always  at  the 
governor's  elbow.  And  finally,  after  a  hard  day's  work, 
carried  through  with  that  celerity  and  thoroughness  for 
which  Sir  George  was  renowned,  the  great  man  lifted  the 
chief  trader  into  the  seventh  heaven  of  delight  by  pro- 
nouncing everything  entirely  satisfactory,  and  stating 
that  he  would  recommend  him  for  an  immediate  increase 
of  salary,  and  for  promotion  to  Red  River  at  the  fust 
opportunity.  He  even  hinted  that  that  promotion  might 
not  be  very  long  delayed,  as  Mr.  Sutherland  was  under- 
stood to  be  desirous  of  retiring  from  active  work  at  an 
early  day,  having  amassed  a  comfortable  fortune  during 
his  two  score  years  of  faithful  service. 

Nor  did  the  governor's  bestowal  of  favors  end  there. 
Not  content  with  making  the  hearts  of  the  MacTavishes 
and  Oldens  overflow  with  joy, — for  of  course  the  wives 
shared  in  the  husbands'  joy  to  the  fullest, — he  next  turned 
his  attention  to  Fergus. 

It  was  in  the  evening,  and  after  a  supper  quite  equal  to 
the  one  of  the  day  before,  they  were  sitting  at  the  door 
enjoying  the  refreshing  coolness,  Sir  George  and  his 
happy  host  filling  the  air  with  fragrant  smoke,  when 
Fergus  came  up,  attended  by  his  quartette  of  splendid 
dogs.  A  finer  type  of  hearty,  handsome,  happy  boy- 
hood than  he  presented,  as  flushed  and  panting  after  a 
frolic  with  his  pets  he  brought  himself  to  a  full  stop 
before  the  group,  was  not  to  be  often  seen.  Sir  George 
hailed  him  at  once  with  : 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


253 


''Halloo  !  Is  this  Daniel  and  his  lions  ?  Will  your 
animals  bite  ?  ' ' 

"No,  indeed,  sir,"  answered  Fergus, laughing  merrily. 
"They're  as  kind  as  kittens.  But  aren't  they  beauties, 
sir?"  he  asked,  looking  up  eagerly  into  the  face  of  his 
benefactor. 

"They  are  beauties,  Fergus,"  responded  Sir  George. 
"  I  was  not  mistaken  when  I  thought  you  would  make  a 
good  master  for  them.  Sit  down  now  beside  me,  and 
tell  me  something  about  them. ' ' 

Delighted  to  obey,  Fergus  threw  himself  down  at  the 
governor's  feet,  the  big  dogs  gathered  about  him,  and, 
with  Bruce' s  head  in  his  lap,  he  proceeded  to  tell,  in  his 
own  bright,  graphic  way,  about  the  exciting  race  with 
Mr.  Barnston's  Esquimaux,  and  the  thrilling  story  of 
their  narrow  escape  from  death  in  the  blizzard  on  Lake 
Winnipeg. 

Sir  George  listened  with  profound  attention.  The 
teller  of  the  story  impressed  him  even  more  than  the 
story  itself,  and  when  Fergus  had  finished,  and  he  had 
thanked  him  for  being  so  interesting,  he  took  the  boy's 
head  in  his  hands,  and  looking  into  his  face,  asked : 

''  Fergus,  how  would  you  like  to  go  with  me  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ? 


I) 


I 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


WESTWARD    WITH    SIR   GEORGE. 


FERGUS'   answer  came  as  quickly  as  his  lips  could 
frame  the  words : 

''  I  wild  like  it  above  all  things,  Sir  George." 

Then  bethinking  himself  that  he  was  not  the  only  one 
to  be  consulted,  he  added,  in  a  quieter  tone  : 

"  If  father  and  mother  are  willing." 

*' Would  you  have  any  objections,  Mr.  MacTavish?" 
Sir  George  asked  of  the  chief  trader.  "  I  think  Ihc  trip 
would  be  a  good  thing  for  the  boy,  and  he  can  return  to 
you  by  the  autumn  boat  brigade  from  Red  River." 

Mr.  MacTavish  glanced  interrogatively  at  his  wife. 
She  smiled  her  assent,  and  so  he  answered  at  once  : 

**ril  be  vcrra  glad  indeed  for  the  laddie  to  go  with 
you,  sin  ye  are  kind  enough  to  ask  him.  lie's  been 
wanting  to  travel  for  some  time  ])ast.  You  see  he  rcails 
a  good  bit  in  the  books  ye've  sent  him,  and  naturally  it 
makes  him  curious  to  see  more  of  the  world." 

But  it  was  not  only  paternal  sympathy  with  Fergus' 
desire  for  travel  that  made  his  father  so  glad  to  give  his 
consent.  He  thought  to  himself  that  if  an)  thing  wculd 
clear  the  boy's  mind  of  the  foolish  notions  abaut  hciuj 
a  missionary,  whi(  h  had  so  jiossessed  him  of  late,  it 
would  surely  be  such  an  experience  as  now  opened 
before  him,  and  it  seemed  to  him  nothing  short  of  provi- 
dential that  it  should  have  been  offered. 
254 


FEEGUS   MAC   TAVISU. 


255 


''Very  well,  then,"  said  Sir  George,  evidently  well 
pleased  at  the  acceptance  of  his  invitation.  ''  Can  you 
get  Fergus  ready  by  the  morning,  Mrs.  MacTavish?  I 
must  start  as  soon  as  i)ossible  after  breakfast." 

"Oh,  yes,  Sir  George,"  answered  Mrs.  MacTavish. 
"It  will  na  take  me  long  to  pack  up  his  bag." 

"There  now,  Fergus,"  said  the  governor,  patting  the 
boy's  head.  "You  see  the  way's  all  clear,  and  Fm  to 
have  the  pleasure  of  your  company  for  the  next  three 
months." 

If  ever  there  was  an  excited,  happy  boy  it  was  Fergus 
that  evening.  He  hardly  knew  what  to  do  with  himself. 
He  tried  to  assist  his  mother  in  the  })acking,  but  only 
siiceeeded  in  jnitting  everything  into  confusion,  so  that, 
finally,  Mrs.  Mac'Favish  was  comp-elled  to  laughingly 
order  him  to  leave  her  to  manage  it  herself,  whereupon 
he  ran  out  of  the  house,  and  calling  his  dogs,  raced 
around  the  S(|uare  with  them,  shouting  and  capering  for 
very  excess  of  joy,  until  at  last  completely  exhausted  and 
breathless,  he  droi)i)ed  on  the  doorstep  to  recover  himself. 

Hardly  a  wink  of  sleep  did  he  get  that  night,  and 
when  he  did  fall  into  a  naj),  it  was  to  dream  of  buffaloes, 
wild  (leer,  mountain  lions,  and  other  animals  of  the  far 
West,  concerning  whi(  h  he  had  heard  many  wonderful 
stories  from  officials  of  the  Company  who  had  spent  years 
in  th;it  region. 

Th'  next  morning,  however,  lie  was  not  in  ipiite  so 
jiihilant  a  mood.  The  thought  of  saying  "  Good-bye  "  to 
his  parents,  his  home,  his  dogs,  and  his  other  pets  for 
several  months  temi)ered  his  joy  somewhat,  and  when 
the  time  of  parting  came  his  heart  felt  (piite  heavy. 


256 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Sir  George  had  his  canoes  launched  promptly  after 
breakfast,  and  the  MacTavishes  and  Oldens  accompanied 
him  as  far  as  the  island,  upon  which  the  mission  station 
was  being  constructed,  where  a  landing  was  made  for  a 
brief  inspection  of  the  place. 

*'  You  have  a  pretty  spot  here,  Mr.  Olden,"  said  Sir 
George,  surveying  the  site  with  evident  approval.  "And 
I  believe  you  will  find  it  greatly  to  your  advantage 
being  removed  a  little  distance  from  the  Fort.  You  will 
be  less  likely  to  be  disturbed,  and  you  will  have  dv^ji 
control  over  your  congregation.  But,"  he  added,  hold- 
ing out  his  hand,  "I  must  not  linger.  Good-bye;  may 
your  best  hopes  be  lulfiUed,  and  remember,  if  at  any 
time  I  can  be  of  any  further  assistance  to  you,  do  nut 
hesitate  to  call  upon  me.  Good-bye,  Mr.  MacTavisli. 
I'll  see  that  your  faithful  service  is  not  overlooked." 
And  thus  with  parting  words  that  reflected  the  kindly  gen- 
erous spirit  of  the  man,  he  step])ed  into  his  canoe,  saying ; 

''  Now  then,  Fergus,  kisses  all  round." 

Fergus,  with  misty  eyes  and  trembling  lips,  went 
around  the  little  group,  and  every  one  gave  him  a  lovini; 
kiss  of  farewell,  his  parents  adding  a  i)assionate  embrace, 
for  they  would  miss  him  sorely  during  his  absence. 
When  he  came  to  Ruth  he  threw  hk  arms  al)ont  her 
neck,  and  gave  her  rosy  lips  such  a  fervent  salute  that  it 
reached  even  Sir  George's  ears,  as  he  sat  waiting  for  the 
farewells  to  finish. 

"Oh,  ho  !  "  he  said  to  himself,  with  an  amused  (  hutkle. 
"There  was  more  than  mere  good  friendshij)  in  iliat 
kiss.  Well — what  could  be  more  fitting  ?  They're  a 
])onnie  ]»air  of  young  folks  certainly." 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


257 


en,"  said  Sir 


anoe,  saying 


Fergus  took  his  seat  beside  the  governor.  The  com- 
mand to  push  off  being  given,  the  eight  stalwart  Iroquois 
bent  to  their  paddles,  and  the  huge  canoe  shot  off  down 
the  river  as  smoothly  and  swiftly  as  a  loon  in  quest  of  its 
prey,  llie  other  canoe  followinJT  close  in  its  wake. 

For  some  time  Fergus  kept  Derfectly  silent.  The  nov- 
elty of  his  situation,  the  fascinating  prospect  that  opened 
out  before  him,  the  inspiring  onrush  of  the  canoe 
through  the  smooth  water,  and  the  feelings  of  delight  at 
going  away  on  such  a  trip,  and  regret  at  leaving  his  loved 
ones  which  divided  his  heart,  took  away  all  disposition 
to  talk.  He  was  quite  content  to  be  quiet,  and  look 
ijtout  him. 

vSir  Oeorgc  regarded  him  with  an  expression  of  kindly 
iiiriosity.  The  boy  was  an  interesting  study  to  him. 
He  was  so  thoroughly  transparent  and  sincere,  a  veri- 
ty le  young  Nathaniel  in  whom  there  w:is  no  guile. 
Vet.  as  the  keen-eyed  governor  clearly  saw,  this  rare 
simplicity  of  character  implied  no  lack  of  strength.  On 
the  contrrry,  it  was  founded  deep  in  a  strength  nc  less 
rire.  Fergus  was  as  determined  as  he  was  frank.  He 
never  liid  anything  to  conceal,  but  he  had  plenty  to 
stand  fast  to. 

"There  is  the  stuff  of  whi*  h  martyrs  are  made  in  that 
bov,"  said  Sir  Ck'orge  to  liimself,  and  then  aloud  : 

"A  penny  for  your  thought-,  Fergus." 

Ferfftis,  startled  from  his  reverie  by  the  que  tion,  looked 
5li.;lilly  confu.sed  as  he  answered  : 

"I'm  afraid  I  canna  tell  you  even  f(»r  a  ])cnny's  .sake, 
Sir  George.     I  was  thinking  of  so  many  tilings  at  once." 

"Had  a  certain  pair  of  bhie  eyes,  and  a  cluster  of 

K 


258 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


golden  curls  any  place  among  the  many  things  ?  "  a-ked 
Sir  George,  smiling  quizzically. 

Fergus  blushed  as  deeply  as  Ruth  herself  coald  have 
done ;  for  the  truth  was,  she  had  been  uppermost  in  his 
thoughts  at  the  moment  the  governor  spoke  to  him. 

'*  Ah  !  ha  !  Fergus,"  laughed  Sir  George,  shakin-  his 
forefinger  at  him,  "your  cheeks  have  betrayed  you. 
Well,  never  mind  an  old  man's  teasing.  There's  nMili- 
ing  half  so  sweet  in  life  as  love's  young  dream  th/  poet 
tells  us,  and  he's  right  no  doubt." 

''See  there,  sir.  Isn't  he  a  beauty?"  Fergus  ex- 
claimed suddenly,  pointing  off  to  the  right,  where  a 
superb  eagle  was  dashing  down  from  the  heavens  in  (|uest 
of  a  fish  for  his  dinner. 

Sir  George  looked  in  the  direction  indicated,  and, 
catching  up  his  rifle,  which  he  always  kept  ready  beside 
him,  took  aim  at  the  swooping  bird. 

*'  See  if  I  can  hit  him,"  he  said,  and  pulled  tlie  trig- 
ger. 

At  the  crark  of  the  r'fle,  the  eagle  dropped  as  if  shot 
through  the  heart.  But  ere  he  was  more  than  half-way 
to  the  water  he  recovered  himself,  spread  out  his  niii,'hty 
pinions,  and  with  a  harsh  scream  of  jeering  triumph. 
sailed  off  out  of  range,  while  two  feathers,  cut  from  one 
of  his  wings  by  the  bullet,  zig-zagged  their  way  down- 
wards. 

*' A  clean  miss,  as  Fm  a  Scotchman  !"  exclaimed  Sir 
George,  le)oking  a  good  deal  put  out.  *'  But,  after  all." 
he  added,  "  I'm  not  sorry.  Why  should  I  want  to  take 
iliat  creature's  life?  Simply  to  show  uiT  my  .skill  as 
a  marksman       Now  that's  a  poor  reason,  I'ergus,  isn't 


FEllGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


259 


lings?"  a,^kid 


eavens  m  ([ucst 


it?  How  little  we  sportsmen  think  of  the  pain  we  inflict 
merely  for  our  own  amusement !  I  hope  you'll  never  be 
cruel  in  that  way,  Fergus.  Do  you  never  take  the  life 
of  beast  or  bird,  except  for  some  good  reason." 

'•  I  will  not  indeed,  sir,"  answered  Fergus,  well  pleased 
at  the  new  turn  in  the  conversation.  ''  1  would  hate  to 
kill  anything  merely  for  the  sake  of  killing  it." 

The  brawny  Irocpiois,  with  strong  steady  stroke,  soon 
brought  the  canoes  out  into  the  broad  bosom  of  the 
lake,  and  thenceforward  they  coasted  the  western  shore, 
cutting  across  the  bays  from  headland  to  headland,  until 
late  in  the  afternoon  a  good  site  for  a  camp  presenting 
itself,  Sir  George  gave  orders  to  land  and  have  dinner 
prepared. 

In  the  course  of  an  hour  the  skillful  cook  had  a  de- 
licious dinner  ready,  and  with  the  keenest  of  appetites, 
the  governor,  his  private  secretary,  and  his  youthful 
guest  sat  down  to  do  it  justice.  After  dinner  was  over 
the  two  men  smoked  and  chatted,  while  Fergus  roamed 
around,  enjoying  the  cool  evening  air,  and  talking  with 
the  Indians,  the  most  of  whom  could  speak  Kn^lish 
fluently. 

When  the  right  settled  down  upon  them,  Sir 
retired  to  one  tent,  the  private  secretary,  Mr.  AN 
and  Fergus  to  another,  the  servants  and   Indiaii 
111'  ''1  blankets,  and  soon  there  wa.s  not  a  per 
in  the  ramp. 

Ik'fure  daybreak  next  morning  Sir  Cleorgc  was  up,  and 
his  conunanding  shout  of  ''  Icve !  /^zr  /  "  startled  the 
sKejiers  into  ac  tivity  again.  And  so  it  went  on  from 
ilay  to  (lay,  the  weather  continuing  faultlessly  fmt    until 


orge 

ham, 

rolled 

awake 


2G0 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISII. 


Red  River  was  reached,  and  here  Sir  George  was  to  re- 
main for  a  few  days  before  taking  up  his  journey  west- 
ward. 

Fergus  would  have  preferred  not  to  revisit  Fort  Garrv. 
Tlie  serenade  experience  was  still  too  fresh  in  his  memorv, 
but  being  in  the  governor's  suite,  he  had  of  course  no 
option  in  the  matter.  The  Sutherlands  greeted  him 
very  warmly,  and  the  young  ladies  congratulated  him 
upon  having  so  won  Sir  George's  favor.  He  again  be- 
came an  inmate  of  their  hospitable  home,  and  so  forgot 
his  disturbing  recollections. 

After  a  few  days'  stay,  the  governor  once  more  set  out. 
He  had  a  larger  party  now,  several  of  his  subordinates 
on  their  way  back  to  their  posts,  having  been  invited  to 
join  him,  as  he  often  wished  to  have  some  of  them  in  his 
canoe  in  order  to  discuss  t'^e  Company's  affairs.  Feri,nis 
woul  !  then  take  his  place  with  Mr.  Wadham,  and  the 
two  came  to  be  very  friendly. 

The  private  secretary  took  a  strong  hold  upon  the 
boy.  He  w^as  essentially  a  man  of  the  world,  one  who 
believet'  in  having  a  good  time  while  ;Oung,  and  leav- 
ing all  .  erious  thought  for  the  period  of  gray  hiir.>. 
London -bred,  widely  traveled,  unusually  well  informed, 
sharp  and  shrewd  of  mind,  and  easy  of  manner,  h.; 
deeply  impressed  Fergus,  to  whom  he  seemed  one  of  the 
most  fascinating  men  he  had  ever  known.  The  cooh 
indifferent,  almost  blase  air,  witli  whi(  h  he  accepted  all 
the  inevitable  mishaps  and  inconveniences  of  canoe 
traveling,  fdled  Fergus  with  admiration.  He  thou^^ht 
him  an  example  well  worth  imitating  from  many  points 
of  view. 


--.y 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


2G1 


Mr.  Wadham  on  his  part  was  no  less  well  pleased 
with  Fergus.  His  perfect  frankness,  untutored  hearti- 
ness, activity  of  mind,  and  alertness  of  body,  made 
him  a  very  interesting  companion.  Nor  wa.-^  the  private 
secretary  unobservant  of  the  admiration  with  which 
Fergus  regarded  him,  and  this  of  course  served  to  in- 
crease his  liking  for  him.  So  they  got  along  famously 
Wi,^ether,  and  Fergus,  who  as  a  matter  of  fact  ibund  the 
company  of  Sir  George  somewhat  of  a  restraint  upcjn 
his  youthful  impetuosity,  was  very  glad  to  spend  the 
most  of  his  time  in  Mr.  Wadham's  society. 

Growing  verv  confidential  as  they  journeyed  on  day 
after  day,  F^ergus  told  much  about  his  home  life,  and 
opened  his  heart  with  unreserved  candor  to  his  genial 
comi)anion,  even  confessing  his  desire  tc  ;:  a  mission- 
ary, although  his  father's  design  was  that  he  snould  go 
into  the  service  of  the  Company. 

'•Well,  I  must  say  I'm  with  your  father  in  that  mat- 
ter, Fergus,"  said  Mr.  Wadham.  ''I  think  it  would  be 
a  great  pity  for  ii  chap  of  your  s})irit  and  mettle  to  take 
to  preaching.  Th.cre  are  plenty  to  do  that  business  for 
us,  who  wouldn't  be  worth  their  salt  to  the  Compan}', 
nor  of  much  account  at  anything  else  for  that  matter." 

Mr.  Wadham's  conception  of  a  clergyman  was  by  no 
means  a  high  one,  and  it  found  expression  in  terms  by 
no  means  complimentary  to  the  cloth.  But  to  Fergus, 
whose  idea  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel  was  illustrated  by 
manly,  enterprising,  big-hearted  Mr.  Olden,  his  words 
came  with  a  shock.  According  to  Fergus*  way  of 
tliinking,  it  was  only  the  very  best  men  who  ought  to  go 
into  the  business  of  preaching.     Far  from  thinking  him- 


262 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISII. 


self  too  good  for  it,  as  his  companion  suggested,  the 
question  with  him  was  :  was  he  good  enough  ? 

He  said  something  like  this,  causing  Mr.  Wadham  to 
smile  in  a  superior  way  as  he  answered  : 

"  Stuff  and  nonsense,  Fergus.  Where  did  you  pick  up 
such  old  woman's  notions?  The  sooner  you  get  rid  of 
them,  and  take  a  common-sense  view  of  things,  tlie 
better.  It  would  be  a  sheer  wa.-^te  of  unusually  good 
material  for  you  to  take  to  preaching.  I  don't  wonder 
your  father  gets  put  out  at  your  proposing  such  a  thing." 

Having  said  thus  much  he  did  not  pursue  the  suhjcrt 
any  farther  then,  but  brought  it  up  again  at  different 
times  that  summer,  seeming  bent  upon  shaking  F.  rgus' 
resolution,  and  to  this  end  bringing  to  bear  upon  it  ar- 
gument, ridicule,  and  appeals  to  ambition  b}  turn,  wit!i 
all  the  adroitness  of  an  experienced  advocate.  The 
reason  he  took  such  an  interest  in  the  matter  was.  that 
the  firmness  of  Fergus'  stand  piqued  him.  He  did  not 
ri')kforso  much  determination  in  a  boy  of  fifteen,  and 
found  a  somewhat  similar  interest  in  seeking  toovenonie 
it  that  an  angler  feels  in  striving  to  land  a  huge  salmon. 

In  spite  of  it  all,  however,  Fergus  stoutly  held  his 
ground,  though  often  finding  it  very  difficult  to  do  so  with- 
out seeming  to  be  merely  obstinate,  instead  of  held  by 
strong  conviction.  Mr.  Wadham  was  so  fertile  in  re- 
source, o  subtle  in  his  reasoning,  so  courteous  through- 
out, that  it  appeared  little  short  of  positive  rudeness  not 
to  agree  with  him. 

Fergus  felt  this,  and  his  resolution  was  sorely  tried 
thereby.  Put  he  did  not  trust  solely  in  himself  Undc? 
no  circumstances    was    his  daily  communion  with  God 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


263 


"ggested,  the 


neglected  ;  and  from  this  source  came  the  strength  which 
cnaMeJ  him  to  keep  true  to  his  purpose  without  falling 
into  any  breach  of  good  manners. 

The  weather  continued  wonderfully  fine  even  for  mid- 
summer in  the  Northwest.  Day  after  day  the  party  jour- 
neyed on  by  the  network  of  streams  and  lakes  that 
spreads  itself  across  the  prairies,  portaging  at  frequent 
intervals  in  order  to  make  short  cuts,  or  to  reach  another 
water.  From  dawn  to  dark  the  sun  shone  with  unclouded 
sjilcndor,  and  when  night  came,  ihc  stars  glittered  in  the 
infmiie  azure  above  like  diamonds  set  in  lapis  lazuli. 

The  prairie  scenery  delighted  Fergus.  It  was  so  soft, 
so  rich,  so  bountiful,  compared  with  the  rugged  wild-.T- 
ness  of  trees  and  rocks  in  which  he  had  his  home.  The 
sward  was  bestrewn  with  brilliant  flowers,  of  which  lie 
was  at  every  opportunity  picking  great  bou(piets,  much 
to  the  amusement  of  the  others,  who  did  not  share  his 
intense  admiration  for  what  seemed  to  them  little  better 
thaji  weeds.     Ikit  he  did  not  mind  their  good-humored 


chaffing. 


The  amazing  wealth  of  verdure  and  bloom 


met  a  long-unsatisfied  craving  for  the  beautiful.  He 
reveled  in  it ;  and  no  amount  of  ridicule  could  cool  his 
enthusiasm. 

But  there  were  more  wonders  than  the  flowers  to  be 
seen  out  upon  those  prairies,  and  the  greatest  of  them 
all  were  the  buffaloes,  that  were  often  met  with  in  huge 
herds,  coming  down  to  drink  at  the  water-side.  The 
sight  of  them  set  everybody  tinglini^  with  eagerness  to 
use  their  guns,  but  Sir  George  would  not  permit  a  halt 
long  enough  to  organize  a  regular  hunt  until  certain  busi- 
ness of  importance  he  had  to  attend  to  at  the  posts  was 


264 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


II  ' 


dispcjcd  of.  So  that,  during  the  first  few  weeks,  the 
ardent  hunters  had  to  content  themselves  with  brinuiivr 
down  an  occasional  buffalo  for  the  benefit  of  the  larder. 

At  length,  when  the  party  had  reached  Chesterfield 
House,  on  the  South  Saskatchewan,  to  the  vast  delight 
of  all,  the  governor  was  pleased  to  announce  that  a  halt 
of  several  days  would  be  made  in  order  to  permit  a  regu- 
larly organized  buffalo  hunt,  in  which  he  would  hiinbtlf 
join. 

Immediately  the  whole  establishment  began  buzzing 
like  a  bee-hive  just  about  to  swarm.  Indian  scouts,  on 
fleet  horses,  were  dispatched  to  locate  a  herd  that  woul 
be  worth  attacking.  Guns  were  carefully  examined,  to 
make  sure  that  there  was  nothing  amiss,  hunting-knives 
sharpened  to  their  keenest  edge,  saddles  and  bridles  se- 
lected and  fitted,  and  nothing  forgotten  that  would  tend 
to  the  success  of  the  hunt. 

Fergus  knew  nothing  about  riding,  and  was  ruefully 
making  up  his  mind  to  stay  at  the  Fort  while  the  rest  of 
the  party  went  out,  when  the  official  in  charge  came  to 
his  rescue  by  procuring  for  him  an  Indian  pony,  thor- 
oughly trained  in  buffalo  running,  and  with  a  gait  so 
easy  and  so  sure  a  foot,  that  he  would  be  as  safe  and 
comfortable  upon  his  back  as  any  of  the  others  on  their 
horses,  while  the  sagacity  of  his  pony  would  ensure  his 
missing  none  of  ihe  fun. 

In  the  evening  the  scouts  returned  with  the  good  news 
that  they  had  sighted  a  splendid  herd  of  buffaloes  not 
many  miles  from  the  post,  on  a  rich  bit  of  bottom  land 
that  they  would  not  be  likely  to  move  from  for  some 
days.     This  was  precisely  what  the  hunters  desired,  and 


FEIIGUS   MAC   TA VISIT. 


2G5 


'e\v  weeks,  the 
'  with  bringing 

of  tlie  larder. 
2d  Chesterfield 
he  vast  delight 
mce  that  a  iialt 

permit  a  regu- 
would  himself 


gan  buzzing 


be 

ian  scouts,  on 

srd  that  won! 

'  examined,  to 

hunting-knives 

nd  bridles  se- 

lat  would  tend 

i  was  ruefully 
ile  the  rest  of 
large  came  to 
n  pony,  thor- 
r^ith  a  gait  so 
'6  as  safe  and 
hers  on  their 
Id  ensure  his 

he  good  news 
buffaloes  not 

bottom  land 
rom  for  some 

desired,  and 


everybody  went  to  bed  that  night  in  high  hopes  of  having 
great  sport  on  the  morrow. 

At  daybreak  the  party  set  out,  under  the  guidance  of 
tiie  scouts,  for  the  field  of  action.  The  best  of  good 
humor  prevailed,  and  the  cool  morning  air  rang  with 
laughter  as  the  horses  jogg'jd  on,  at  an  easy  pace,  through 
the  dense  dew-laden  herbage.  Fergus,  riding  with  Mr. 
Wadham  just  behind  Sir  George,  was  in  a  tumult  of  con- 
flicting emotions.  I'he  whole  thing  was  wondrously 
novel  to  him.  So  strange  did  it  seem,  that  he  at  times 
half  thought  it  must  be  a  dream.  The  cavalcade  of 
horsemen ;  the  tall,  sinewy  red  men,  so  different  from 
those  of  the  far  North ;  the  glorious  prairie,  rolling  off 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  see,  in  soft  undulations,  bespan- 
gled with  flowers  ;  the  cloudless  sky,  up  which  the  sun 
had  already  begun  to  climb  ;  and,  most  of  all,  the  being 
mounted  himself  upon  a  steed  whose  easy  lope  was  iis 
pleasant  almost  as  the  rocking  of  a  canoe  in  a  merry 
breeze ; — Fergus  found  rare  enjoyment  in  all  of  these,  and 
he  was  constantly  thinking  to  himself  how  much  he 
would  have  to  tell  his  parents  and  the  Oldens  on  his 
return. 

"  What's  the  state  of  your  pulse  this  morning,  Fer- 
gus?" asked  Mr.  Wadham,  with  a  smile  of  approval  at 
the  manly  bearing  of  the  boy  beside  him.  ''  Going  a 
liule  faster  than  usual,  isn't  it?  " 

'^Naedoot  it  is,  sir,"  responded  Fergus,  smiling  back. 
"It's  my  first  time,  ye  ken." 

"Your  first  time?  So  it  is,  to  be  sure,"  exclaimed 
Mr.  Wadham.  **  I  wish  I  were  you,  for  it's  an  old  story 
mh  me." 


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2G6 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


"  Mayhap  ye  wadna  like  to  feel  as  nervous  as  I  do, 
Mr.  Wadham,"  said  i^'cr^^us,  speaking  in  all  sinciritv  • 
for,  ill  truth,  his  heart  was  fluttering  at  quite  an  unusual 
rate. 

"Do  you  really  feel  nervous,  Fergus?"  asked  Mr. 
Wadham.  **  Well,  I  must  confess  you  manage  to  hide 
it  pretty  well.  But  I  don't  wonder  that  you  feel  in  that 
way,  and  you  needn't  be  ashamed  if  your  feelings  happ.ii 
to  get  the  better  of  you  when  you  come  to  close  (|uart-rs 
with  the  buffaloes.  They're  ugly  brutes  at  the  best  oi" 
times." 

Fergus  gave  an  uneasy  laugh. 

"I'm  no  verra  anxious  to  come  to  close  ijiiartcrs 
wi'  them.  I  shall  be  verra  well  content  to  bide  a  little 
way  off,  and  let  those  who  know  all  aboot  it  do  the 
hunting." 

"A  very  wise  way  of  looking  at  the  matter,  my  boy," 
answered  Mr.  Wadham.  "  You're  a  chip  of  the  old 
block  without  mistake,  as  canny  at  fifteen  as  some  other 
folks  are  at  fifty." 

Fergus  colored  with  pleasure  at  the  secretary's  compli- 
ment, and  was  about  to  make  some  re[)ly,  when  S.r 
George  turned,  and  beckoned  him  to  approach. 

"You've    never   hunted    buffaloes    before,   iiave  you. 


Fergus  ? 


"  he  asked. 
"  No,  sir;  but  I've  often  wanted  to,"  replied  I'Vr: 


tiS. 


"  Well,  then,  I'll  look  after  you  to  see  that  you  iioii"t 
get  into  any  mischief,"  said  the  governor,  with  a  sr.iil '. 
"  You  just  keep  close  to  me,  and  you  won't  miss  an\  of 
the  sport." 

After  a  coui)le  of  hours*  riding  the  Indian  guides  gave 


:rvou.s  as  I  (Jo, 

all  sinccritv ; 

lite  an  uiuisual 

?"  asked  Mr. 
nanagc  to  liide 
'ou  feci  in  tliat 
eelings  haiiji.n 
)  close  ([iiarivr-, 
at  the  bes'i  uf 


close  (luartcrs 
:o  l)ide  a  liule 
oot    it   do  tlic 

tter,  my  boy," 

ip  of   tile  old 

as  some  other 

?tary's  coinj)Ii- 
[)ly,  when   Sir 
oa(  li. 
re,  iiave  you, 

Jplied  I'Vru'us. 
hat  you  don't 
',  with  a  sinil.', 
't  miss  an\  of 


,11  guides  gave 


;:ii' 


Fergus  MacTavisb. 


Page  267. 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


267 


liie  word  for  perfect  quiet  on  the  part  of  all,  and  for 
jnother  half-hour  the  little  cavalcade  moved  as  silently  as 
ihadows  across  the  prairie,  the  leaders  keeping  a  sharp 
iookuut  for  the  black  dots  that  would  indicate  the  pres- 
ence of  their  prey. 

Presently  they  halted,  and  gave  whispered  orders  for 
the  disposition  of  the  various  members  of  tlie  paity. 
Tiicy  were  within  half  a  mile  of  the  place  where  tliey 
had  marked  the  herd  the  previous  afternoon,  and  ex- 
ireme  caution  was  necessary  to  i)revent  the  wary  creat- 
!ires  getting  a  hint  of  their  proximity  before  due  pre|)a- 
ration  had  been  made  for  the  hunt.  In  a  few  minutes 
the  line  of  attack  was  organized  in  the  following 
manner  : 

The  two  most  experienced  and  best  mounted  Indian 
hunters  took  their  place  at  either  wing,  the  rest  of  the 
jarty  lining  out  between  them  in  the  form  of  a  half- 
circle,  at  the  centre  of  which  was  Sir  George,  with  his 
secretary  on  his  right  and  Fergus  on  his  left.  Tlie  gov- 
ernor was  in  high  feather.  He  dearly  loved  a  good  buf- 
falo hunt,  and  the  prospects  were  promising  for  one  of 
more  than  ordinary  interest. 

Hardly  daring  to  breathe,  and  guiding  their  horses 
with  the  utmost  caution,  while,  at  the  same  time  holding 
their  guns  ready  for  immediate  action,  the  hunters 
niowd  up  the  sloj)e  until  tliey  had  all  reached  the  toj). 
For  an  instant  they  paused  there  in  order  to  take  in  the 
Hcne  before  them.  It  was  one  well  calculated  to  stir  to 
its  depths  the  heart  of  the  most  experienced  buffalo  hun- 
ter. In  a  sort  of  meadow  lying  between  two  swelling 
slopes,  and  having  through  its  centre  a  narrow  stream, 


m 


268 


FERGUS      MAC   TAVISH. 


was  gathered  one  of  the  finest  herds  of  buffalo  imagin- 
able.  Huge  shaggy  bulls,  plump  cows,  and  clumsy  calves 
cropped  the  rich  herbage,  or  stretched  themselves  at  case 
in  its  green  depths.  There  could  not  have  been  less  than 
a  thousand  of  them  in  all,  and  with  few  exceptions  they 
appeared  to  be  in  prime  condition. 

Fergus  gazed  upon  them  with  mingled  admiration  and 
apprehension.  They  were  such  grand  creatures  that  he 
admired  them  as  a  matter  of  course.  The  bulls  looked 
so  terrible  in  their  ponderous  bulk  that  he  could  not 
help  fearing  them.  He  had  been  told  many  stories  of 
thrilling  escapes  from  their  overwhelming  onset.  Who 
knew  but  that  before  this  hunt  was  over  some  one  of  the 
party,  perhaps  he  himself,  would  have  to  flee  for  his  life? 

But  he  had  no  time  for  pursuing  such  thoughts,  for 
with  a  whoop  that  rang  all  along  the  line,  the  hunters 
charged  down  upon  the  astonished,  startled  herd.  In  an 
instant  every  animal  was  upon  its  feet.  At  first  the  bulls 
seemed  disposed  to  stand  their  ground,  but  as  the  line  of 
attack  came  closer  to  them,  they  suddenly  changed  their 
minds,  and  plunged  off  after  the  cows  and  calves  already 
in  full  flight. 

Fergus  would  have  been  very  well  content  to  remain  a 
spectator  of  the  slaughter.  He  could  not  use  his  gun 
with  any  accuracy  upon  horseback,  and  as  he  had  already 
said,  he  had  no  desire  to  get  into  close  quarters  with  the 
monarchs  of  the  plains.  But  in  making  up  his  mind  to 
this  he  had  not  reckoned  with  his  pony,  and  now, 
whether  he  liked  it  or  not  he  found  himself,  owing  to  its 
ardor,  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  wild  charge. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


BUFFALO  AND  BEAR. 

'']/'' EEP  close  to  me  now,  Fergus,  my  boy,"  said  Sir 

iV  George,  as  they  dashed  on  side  by  side.  **  Don't 
iet  the  buffaloes  separate  us." 

'*  I'll  do  my  verra  best,  sir,"  answered  Fergus,  think- 
ing all  the  time  that  it  was  going  to  be  no  easy  job. 

So  fine  a  start  had  the  hunters  secured  before  the  buf- 
iiloes  fairly  realized  their  danger,  that  rapidly  as  the  lum- 
l)ering  animals  moved  when  once  they  did  get  under  way, 
they  were  not  long  in  being  overtaken,  and  then  the 
daughter  began.  Each  rider  singled  out  his  victim, 
either  a  fat  cow  from  whose  plump  carcase  juicy  steaks 
might  be  cut,  or  a  mighty  bull,  whose  shaggy  head  he 
desired  to  humble  in  the  dust. 

Fergus,  feeling  sure  that  he  could  not  possibly  manage 
both  his  pony  and  his  rifle  at  once,  made  up  his  mind  not 
to  attempt  the  feat,  and  gave  his  whole  attention  to  his 
clever  little  steed.  As  already  mentioned,  the  pony  had 
been  thoroughly  trained  to  buffalo  hunting,  and  now 
that  he  was  in  the  midst  of  it,  he  seemed  as  much  excited 
as  the  yelling  Indians.  In  spite  of  Fergus'  frantic  ef- 
forts to  restrain  him,  he  took  the  bit  in  his  teeth,  laid 
b;ick  his  ears,  and,  with  neck  and  tail  almost  in  a  straight 
Ine,  carried  his  unwilling  but  helpless  rider  right  into 
the  herd  of  terrified  creatures,  leaving  Sir  George,  who 
had  a  much  more  manageable  mount,  away  in  the  rear. 


270 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


I  M 


,  i'r- 


'-U 


"  Bless  my  heart,  if  the  boy's  pony  hasn't  bolted 
exclaimed  the  governor,  somewhat  anxiously.     <'  I  hor 
the  little  brute  cai    tceep  his  feet.     If  he  stumbles  now  i| 
will  soon  be  all  ovv.    with  him  and  Fergus." 

Bracing  himself  firmly  in  his  saddle,  and  pulling  upor 
the  reins  with  all  his  might,  Fergus  did  his  best  to  chccl 
the  pony,  and  thus  free  himself  from  the  dangerous  com- 
panions that  hemmed  them  in.  But  he  might  as  wlIII 
have  sought  to  check  a  locomotive.  The  pony  was  alU 
on  fire.  He  knew  his  business,  and  he  was  doing  it.f 
Had  he  been  able  to  speak,  he  would,  no  douljt,  have) 
been  shouting  as  loudly  as  the  bit  in  his  mouth  permiitcjj 
him  to  do  : 

"  Fire  away,  now  !     Bring  down  your  buffalo  !     Theai 
load  up.  and  fire  again  !  " 

Fergus'  position  was  one  of  real  peril.  In  front,  on 
either  hand,  and  at  his  rear,  the  affrighted  animals,  with 
heads  almost  touching  the  ground,  tongues  lol'ing  from 
their  mouths,  and  bloodshot  eyes  protruding  from  thicir 
sockets,  galloped  madly  forward,  taking  no  account  of 
the  inequalities  of  the  ground,  but  wholly  occupied  with 
one  thought, — escape  from  the  merciless  pursuers,  tho 
sharp  crack  of  whose  rifles  rang  in  their  ears. 

Were  the  pony  to  trip,  or  one  of  the  buffaloes  ahead 
to  fall  right  in  his  path,  and  thus  bring  him  down,  there 
would  be  no  pause  on  the  part  of  those  behind.  Straii;ht 
ahead  they  would  plunge,  trampling  horse  and  rider  be- 
neath their  hoofs  until  there  would  be  scarce  a  vestige  of 
them  left  to  mark  the  i)lace  where  they  had  fallen. 

Fergus  fiilly  realized  this,  and  h  prayed  to  God  to  help 
him,  for  he  could  not  help  himself     They  were  drawini,' 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


271 


Buffalo !     Then 


:.ear  the  little  stream  which  divided  the  meadow.     The 
vanguard  of  the  herd  was  already  splashing  through  it,  and 
Fergus  wondered  if  the  bottom  was  very  .nuddy  and  if 
hi>  pony  could  get  through  all  right.    The  next  moment 
they  reached  the  water,  by  much  tramping  turned  into 
liiliiid  mud.     The   speed  of  the  buffaloes  around   him 
and  of  his  pony  now  perceptibly  slackened,  and  taking 
courage  from  this  he  pulled  still  harder  upon  the  reins. 
To  nis  delight  the  willful  animal  seemed  to  yield  a  little. 
Shouting  *' Whoa,  pony!  whoa!  "   in   his    most    com- 
manding tones,  he  put  forth  all  his  strength  upon  the  bit. 
Hurrah !  the  pony  no  longer  had  it  beiween  his  teeth. 
In  scrambling  through  the  mud  he  had  lost  it,  and  was 
now  under  his  rider's  control. 
Of  course,  it  was  utterly  impossible  to  turn  around  until 
entirely  free   from   the    herd,   and   there  were   anxious 
moments    until    at   last    this    was    safely   accomplished, 
when  with  a  fervent  *' Thank  God!  "  Fergus  wheeled 
his  now  subdued   and   well-blown    steed    around,  and 
sought  to  make  his  way  back  to  the  other  side  of  the 
stream.     But    his    dangers   were    not    altogether   over. 
There  were  some  still  awaiting  him.     He  was  so  occu- 
pied with  freeing  himself  from  the  panic-stricken  fugi- 
tives and  regaining  control  of  his  pony,  that  he  had  not 
observed  a  new  peril  in  his   path.     In  the  rear  of  the 
herd  there  had  been  an  old  l)ull  that  had  found  the  ford- 
ing of  the  stream  a  difficult  task  for  his  ponderous  bulk, 
and  he  did  not  succeed  in  getting  across  until  the  whole 
herd  had  swept  by.     As  soon  as  he  did  reach  terra firma 
again,  he  set  off  after  the  other.-.,  and    of  course  almost 
immediately  encountered  Fergus  making  his  way  back. 


ti' 

j-- 

j^B''-r( 

r  . 

! 

k 

272 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


The  instant  the  bull  caught  sight  of  the  boy  he  lowered 
his  head,  and  with  a  dull  rumbling  roar  rushed  fiercely 
upon  him.  His  roar  was  the  first  intimation  either 
horse  or  rider  had  of  his  proximity. 

**  God  help  me  !  "  cried  Fergus,  in  terror  at  the  start- 
ling onset.  *'What  an  awful  creature!  What  shall  I 
do?" 

Happily,  however,  he  had  not  to  think  for  himself. 
Although  the  bull's  charge  was  so  unexpected  that  he 
was  within  a  tew  yards  of  the  pony  before  the  latter  real- 
ized his  presence,  the  clever  little  steed  swerved  to  one 
side  with  a  quickness  ihat  baffled  the  furious  monster, 
letting  him  thunder  harmlessly  past.  At  the  same  time 
so  sudden  was  the  movement  that  Fergus  had  the  nar- 
rowest possible  escape  from  being  unseated,  and  only 
saved  himself  by  falling  forward  upon  the  neck  of  the 
pony,  and  grasping  desperately  at  his  mane. 

*'  The  Lord  ha  mercy  !  "  he  exclaimed.  *'  How  near  I 
was  to  fallin'  to  the  gro«md  right  at  the  buffalo's  feet !  " 

Not  a  whit  daunted  by  his  disappointment,  but,  if  pos- 
sible, still  more  enraged,  the  bull  wheeled  about,  and  re- 
peated the  charge.  But  this  time  his  intended  victims 
were  ready  for  him,  and  instead  of  meeting  him  they 
made  off  as  fast  as  a  fleet  pony  could  go  in  the  direction 
taken  by  the  other  hunters,  their  baffled  antagonist  lum- 
bering along  obstinately  in  their  rear. 

In  the  meantime  Sir  George,  Mr.  Wadham,  and  others 
had  done  all  the  execution  they  desired,  and  having 
extricated  themselves  from  the  confusion  of  the  hunt, 
were  retracing  their  steps,  seeking  to  identify  the  animals 
they  had  brought  down.     Toward   them  came  Fergus, 


FERGUS  MAC  TA VISIT. 


273 


walloping  for  dear  life,  and  shouting  at  the  top  of  his 
voice  : 

"Look  out!  He's  after  me.  Shoot  him!  Shoot 
him ! ' ' 

There  was  something  so  comical  in  the  appearance  of 
tiie  lad,  bare-headed  and  terrified,  skimming  over  the 
prairie  on  his  fleet  pony  with  a  huge  buffiUo  bull  rolling 
aiur  him,  that  a  smile  came  into  everybody's  face. 

'•The  boy's  having  plenty  of  excitement,  \Vadham," 
said    Sir   George.     "More    than    he    bargained    for,  I 


iMgine. 


>> 


M 


"That's  an  ugly-looking  customer  he  has  in  tow,  sir, 
answered  the  private  secretary.     "  Mv  rifle's  loaded.     I'll 
go  ahead,  and  see  if  I  can't  bring  him  to  a  full  stop." 

Putting  spurs  to  his  horse  Mr.  Wadham  dashed  ahead, 
and  as  he  passed  Fergus  shouted  reassuringly  : 

"All  right !     I'll  finish  him  for  you." 

Making  a  slight  detour  so  as  to  flank  the  bull,  he  urged 
his  horse  close  to  its  side,  and  before  the  animal  could 
turn  upon  him  sent  a  bullet  into  it  just  behind  the  right 
siioulder.  Almost  at  once  the  huge  creature  faltered, 
staggered  forward  a  few  more  paces,  and  then  fell,  the 
life-blood  mingling  with  the  foam  dropping  from  its 
jaws.  A  vain  attempt  to  rise,  a  moment's  balancing 
upon  its  knees,  a  convulsive  shudder  through  all  the 
mighty  frame,  and  then  the  end  came.  With  one  last 
low  roar,  more  like  a  moan  than  any  other  sound,  this 
monarch  of  the  prairies  rolled  over  dead. 

"Neatly  done,  Wadham  !  "  cried  Sir  George,  dropping 
his  bridle  rein  in  order  to  clap  his  hands  together.  *'  I 
never  saw  a  better  piece  of  work  in  my  life.     Did  you, 

S 


.!f.-      I 


274 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


my  boy?"  turning  to  Fergus,  who  had  pulled  up  just  in 
time  to  see  the  finishing  of  his  fierce  pursuer. 

"No,  indeed,  sir,"  panted  Fergus.  *' It  was  just 
splendid." 

**And  how  many  bufi*aloes  did  you  bring  down  ?  "  asked 
Sir  George,  with  a  smile  that  showed  the  kind  of  answer 
he  expected. 

**Not  one,  sir,"  answered  Fergus,  hanging  down  his 
head. 

*•'  I  suppose  you  found  it  too  hard  a  job  to  look  after 
vour  pony  and  use  your  rifle  at  the  same  time,  wasn't 
that  it  ?  "  queried  the  governor. 

"Yes,  sir,"  responded  Fergus,  promptly,  very  grateful 
for  the  kindly  tact  which  relieved  him  of  the  necessity 
of  explaining  why  it  was  that  he  could  lay  claim  to  none 
of  the  trophies  that  lay  scattered  over  the  prairie. 

"  Never  mind,  my  boy,"  said  Sir  George,  with  kindly 
encouragement.  "  You  have  plenty  of  time  yet  to  learn 
buffalo  hunting,  and  I'll  wager  that  before  you're  twenty 
you'll  be  so  good  a  hunter  that  Wadham  will  have  to 
look  to  his  laurels.  Come  now;  let  us  see  what  we've 
secured  to-day." 

The  hunt  had  been  eminently  successful.  No  less 
than  twelve  fine  animals  had  been  killed,  and  the  work 
of  skinning  and  cutting  them  up  was  begun  without 
delay.  Fergus  had  nothing  to  do  with  this,  so  while  it 
was  going  on  he  rode  slowly  along  the  stream  until  he 
reached  a  place  where  the  water  had  not  been  disturbed, 
and  there  refreshed  himself  and  his  pony. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  the  party  returned 
to  the  Fort,  laden  with  the  choicest  portions  of  their 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


275 


prey.  Mr.  Wadham  presented  Fergus  with  the  horns  of 
the  big  bull  that  was  so  anxious  tc  give  him  a  toss  with 
them,  in  order  that  he  might  have  a  suitable  trophy  of 
his  first  buffalo  hunt. 

The  following  day  the  canoe  journey  was  resumed,  the 
direction  being  steadily  westward,  though  many  a  round- 
about river  curve  had  to  be  followed.  Fergus  was  often 
invited  to  a  seat  in  Sir  George's  canoe.  The  governor 
took  pleasure  in  drawing  him  out,  and  encouraging  him 
to  express  his  opinions  upon  what  he  had  seen  and  heard 
in  the  course  of  his  life.  As  might  be  expected,  the  talk 
in  time  came  around  to  the  subject  of  Fergus'  future,  and 
Sir  George,  having  naturally  taken  it  for  granted  that  he 
would  follow  in  his  father's  footsteps,  was  a  good  deal 
surprised  to  discover  that  the  boy  had  different  thoughts 
concerning  himself. 

"Do  you  really  mean  it,  Fergus?"  he  asked.  "A 
fiae  manly  lad  like  you  vith  the  prospects  in  the  Com- 
pany that  you  have  to  want  to  turn  your  back  on  them 
for  the  sake  of  being  a  missionary  to  the  Indians.  I 
confess  I  can't  understand  it." 

Fergus  hardly  knew  how  to  answer  him,  for  although 
he  could  see  that  the  governor  regarded  missionary  work 
with  far  more  respect  than  his  secretary  did,  still  the 
boy  was  shrewd  enough  to  perceive  that  it  would  not  be 
easy  to  express  his  own  convictions  without  seemingly  to 
imply  that  in  his  opinion  the  career  of  a  missionary  was 
far  more  honorable  than  that  of  an  official  in  the  great 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  this  could  hardly  be  pleas- 
ing to  the  head  of  the  institution.  After  a  few  moments* 
silence  he  ventured  to  say  : 


p     ; 


276 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


**I  am  really  in  earnest,  Sir  George.  I  do  want] 
to  be  a  missionary  to  the  poor  Indians  verra  much  in-| 
deed." 

*'But  your  father  doesn't  want  you  to,"  objected  Sir] 
George. 

*'  No,  sir ;  he  does  not,"  answered  Fergus,  with  a  half- 
suppressed  sigh. 

''And  you  wouldn't  think  of  doing  what  he  doesn't! 
approve  of,  would  you,  Fergus?" 

''No,  sir;  I  wadn't.  If  my  father  wonna  let  me  I 
maun  just  do  his  will. " 

"  That's  the  right  way  to  talk,  my  boy,"  said  the  gov- 
ernor, patting  him  approv'ngly  on  the  shoulder.  "Just 
stick  to  that,  and  you'll  never  go  far  wrong.  Your 
father's  a  good  man,  Fergus,  an  excellent  man — one  of 
our  very  best  officials, — and  I  would  like  to  see  you  grow 
up  so  as  to  take  his  place  when  his  time  cuines  to  re- 


tire. 


> » 


Poor  Fergus  felt  himself  to  be  in  sore  straits.  He  could 
not  honestly  say  anything  that  would  seem  like  assent  to 
Sir  George's  kind  words,  for  although  he  knew  well 
enough  that  so  long  as  his  father  continued  in  his 
present  mind  there  was  no  chau'  e  of  his  obtaining  the 
desire  of  his  heart,  still  he  j)ermitted  himself  to  cherish 
the  hope  that  the  way  would  be  opened  somehow,  even 
though  he  might  have  to  wait  i)atienily  for  it.  Noticing 
his  confusion,  Sir  George  forbore  to  press  the  snl)ject 
then,  and  turned  the  conversation  into  another  channel 

They  were  now  making  good  headway  uj)  the  South 
Saskatchewan,  and  drawing  nearer  the  Rocky  Mount- 
ains Fergus  so  eagerly  longed  to  see.     The  weather  ( on- 


FERGUS  MAC  TA VISIT. 


277 


vonna  let  me  ij 


tinned  exceptionally  fine,  and  there  were  no  portages  to 
delay  them,  so  that  their  progress  was  rapid.  These 
were  days  of  unclouded  happiness  for  the  young  lad, 
something  novel  presenting  itself  before  every  sunset, 
and  new  scenes  of  beauty  filling  hl3  memory  with  pic- 
tures that  would  not  soon  fade.  He  was  a  warm  favorite 
with  the  whole  party.  Even  the  taciturn,  reserved  Iro- 
quois manifested  in  little  acts  of  attention  their  liking 
for  him,  while  Sir  George  and  Mr.  Wadham  were  as 
lathtT  and  brother  to  him.  The  governor  congratulated 
himself  upon  having  brought  him,  for  he  was  certainly  a 
very  bright  addition  to  the  company,  and  withal  never 
seemed  lo  be  in  anybody's  way. 

Against  the  Saskatchewan's  gentle  current  the  canoes 
pushed  their  way  until  the  meeting  of  the  waters  of  the 
Bow  and  Belly  rivers  was  reached.  Here  a  halt  of  a 
couj)le  of  days  was  made  in  order  lo  try  for  some  of  the 
deer  that  were  plentiful  in  the  vicinity.  Fergus  deter- 
mined to  acquit  himself  with  more  credit  as  a  hunter  of 
deer  than  he  had  done  as  a  hunter  of  buffaloes,  and  for- 
tune favored  him  in  the  field  ;  for  while  Sir  (Jeorge  and 
Mr.  Wadham  both  failed  to  secure  a  buck,  Fergus  by  a 
lucky  shot  laid  low  a  superb  fellow,  whose  noble  antlers 
he  insisted  u])on  the  private  secretary  accepting  in  return 
for  the  buffalo  horns. 

Refreshed  by  their  two  days'  rest,  the  crews  of  the 
canoes  once  more  took  up  their  i)addles,  and  turning 
iheir  graceful  craft  up  the  lk)\v  River  entered  upon  the 
last  stage  of  their  journey  to  liie  Rockies  so  far  as  they 
were  concerned.  A  short  visit  was  paid  to  Crowfoot 
lurt,  an  unimportant  post,  and  a  longer  stay  was  made  at 


m: 


278 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Fort  La  Jonquiere,  a  more  notable  estal)li.shment  situ- 
ated near  the  site  of  the  present  town  of  Calgary. 

This  was  as  far  as  the  canoes  could  go,  so  they  were 
exchanged  for  horses,  and  or^e  more  Fergus  had  to  try 
his  luck  in  the  saddle.  A  well-broken,  well-behaved  mus- 
tang was  allotted  him,  and  feeling  much  more  at  home 
on  its  back  than  he  had  upon  the  fiery  little  pony  in  the 
buffalo  hunt,  he  kept  his  place  in  the  cavalcade. 

They  had  not  journeyed  far  before  the  mountains  rose 
into  view  like  serrated  clouds  along  the  western  horizon, 
becoming  more  and  more  distinct  with  each  mile  of  ad- 
vance. Fergus'  heart  thrilled  with  joy  at  the  sight.  How- 
inspiring  they  were  in  their  solemn  silent  majesty ! 
What  wonderful  colors  adorned  their  mighty  flanks,  and 
how  grandly  their  snow-capped  peaks  soared  into  the  in- 
finite azure  ! 

He  could  talk  of  nothing  else.  He  had  a  thousand 
questions  to  ask  of  Mr.  Wadham  concerning  pre(:ij)ices 
and  glaciers  and  waterfalls,  and  the  other  features  of 
mountain  scenery,  to  which  the  secretary  was  ever  ready 
with  answers  to  the  point,  and  full  of  information,  fwr 
there  was  little  about  either  plain  or  mountain  of  whicli 
Mr.  Wadham  did  noi  know.  He  had  been  niakim; 
annual  toui^s  throughout  the  vast  territory  for  more  than 
ten  years  past,  under  the  most  favorable  circumstaiK  es 
for  acquiring  knowledge  concerning  it,  and  he  had  not 
wasted  his  opportunities.  So  that  Fergus  could  hardly 
have  had  a  better  instructor  unless  it  were  Sir  George 
himself.  Moreover,  the  governor  did  not  deem  it  he 
neath  his  dignity  to  let  Fergus  have  the  benefit  of  his 
vast  experience. 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


279 


A  couple  of  days  riding  brought  them  to  the  foot  hills, 
wiiere  it  was  proposed  to  remain  for  a  week,  Sir  George 
being  anxious  to  add  another  grizzly  bear  skin  to  the 
numerous  trophies  of  the  chase  that  enriched  his  home 
at  Lachine,  and  having  been  informed  at  the  Fort  that  a 
bear  )f  enormous  size  had  his  den  somewhere  in  the 
vicinity. 

"  It  would  not  do  for  you  to  leave  the  Rockies  with- 
out having  called  on  old  Ephraim,  Fergus,"  said  the 
governor.  ''He  is  the  genius  of  the  place,  you  know,  and 
would  no  doubt  feel  deeply  slighted  if  we  fail  to  pay  our 
respects." 

''I  wad  greatly  like  to  see  him,  sir,"  replied  Fergus; 
'•  Father  has  often  told  me  about  the  grizzlies.  He  came 
verra  near  being  killed  by  one  once  when  he  was  away 
out  liere." 

•'  So  he  did,  to  be  sure,"  said  Sir  George.  "  I  remem- 
ber hearing  about  it  at  the  time.  He  had  a  narrow 
escape  indeed.  We  must  take  good  care  that  his  son 
doesn't  get  into  any  such  danger." 

"Oh,  I'll  be  verra  careful,  sir,"  said  Fergus.  "I'm 
virra  anxious  to  see  the  big  bear,  but  not  to  get  close  to 
him  as  father  did.  He  didn't  start  to  lun  soon  enough, 
aiul  so  the  grizzly  got  hold  of  him,  and  but  for  the  Indian 
that  was  with  him  he  would  have  been  killed." 

"Be  sure  then  that  if  the  bear  comes  anywhere  near 
you  to  show  him  how  you  can  run,  Fergus,"  said  Mr. 
V.'ailliam.  ''It's  no  use  trying  to  argue  with  a  grizzly. 
He  won't  pay  attention  to  anything  except  a  bullet  in 
the  right  place." 

A  good  site  for  the  camp  having  been  selected,  the 


it' 


280 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


horses  were  hobbled  and  turned  loose,  and  preparations 
made  for  a  week's  stay,  if  necessary.  Early  the  foliow- 
ing  morning  the  Indian  hunters  were  despatched  to  look 
for  signs  of  bear,  while  the  others  of  the  party  gave  them- 
selves up  to  a  day  of  leisure  and  lounging  that  was  very 
welcome  after  the  continuous  and  rapid  travel  of  the  past 
ten  weeks. 

Sir  George  and  his  secretary  read  and  smoked  and 
talked  in  the  shade  of  their  tents,  but  Fergus'  restless 
spirit  could  not  let  him  take  matters  so  easily,  and  he 
spent  the  day  roaming  about  the  neighborhood,  taking 
good  care,  however,  not  to  wander  out  of  sight  of  the 
camp.  He  longed  ibr  the  companionship  of  his  dogs. 
How  delightful  it  would  have  been  to  have  them  bound- 
ing along  at  his  side,  or  making  dashes  of  exi)loration 
into  the  nooks  and  crannies  of  the  foot  hills  !  With  four 
such  protectors  he  need  hardly  fear  even  a  grizzly. 

On  his  return  to  the  camp  he  said  something  of  this  to 
Sir  George. 

''Ah!"  replied  the  governor.  "I  wouh^  be  very 
sorry  to  see  your  splendid  dogs  try  conclusions  with  old 
Ephraim.  He  would  tear  them  limb  from  limb  in  the 
twinkling  of  an  eye.  They  would  not  know  how  to  fight 
him.  Only  bear  dogs  are  of  the  slightest  good,  and  they 
often  pay  for  their  braver)  with  their  lives." 

When  Fergus  heard  this  he  felt  very  glad  that  his  huge 
pets  were  not  with  them,  and  shuddered  at  the  tht)ught 
of  their  being  torn  to  j)ieces  by  a  grizzly. 

•'Dear  old  Bruce!"  said  he,  half  to  himself.  "No 
grizzly  shall  ever  get  his  claws  into  you." 

"Not  likely,  Fergus,"  laughed  Mr.  Wadham.     "So 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


281 


long  as  he  stays  in  the  Hudson's  Bay  District,  at  any 
rate.  But  here  come  the  Indians.  I  hope  they  have 
some  good  news  for  us." 

The  Indians  came  up  with  an  important  expression 
upon  their  dusky  countenances  that  was  very  proFi^iising. 

"  Well,  Mekasto,"  said  Sir  George  to  the  leader  of  the 
trio,  a  tall  fine-looking  Indian  brave,  and  a  famous  hun- 
ter, *'  what  have  you  to  tell  us?     Good  news,  I  hope." 

The  report  was  entirely  satisfactory.  They  had  located 
the  haunt  of  the  great  grizzly,  and  still  better  had  found 
fresh  tracks  showing  that  he  was  at  home,  and  no  doubt 
ready  to  receive  visitors. 

"Ah,  ha,  Wadham,"  said  Sir  George,  rubbing  his 
hands  together  gleefully.  ''That's  most  satisfactory.  We 
oiiL'ht  to  have  fine  sport  to-morrow." 

The  party  that  set  out  the  following  morning  was 
strong  enough  to  inspire  respect  in  the  breast  of  the 
mi)>t  pugnacious  bear.  It  consisted  of  Sir  George,  Mr. 
WaiUiam,  Fergus,  and  the  factor  of  Fort  La  Jonquicre 
as  principals,  the  three  Indian  hunters,  each  having  a 
l»air  of  lean  yet  business-like  looking  hounds  at  heel,  and 
as  many  half-breeds  from  the  Fort,  carrying  provisions, 
etc.  Nine  men,  a  boy,  and  six  dogs,  all  come  out  to 
kill  one  bear.  The  odds  certainly  seemed  against  the 
aiiinial,  yet  a  grizzly  had  been  known  to  put  to  flight 
(luitc  as  many  assailants,  and  it  would  not  do  to  take 
victory  for  granted. 

Mckasto  led  the  way  up  into  the  heart  of  the  foot 
hills,  striding  along  at  a  |)ace  that  taxed  Fergus'  powers 
a-i  :i  pedestrian  to  the  utmost.  But  of  course  he  would 
nut  let  on  that  it  did  so,  and  kept  his  place  right  man- 


282 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


fully,  even  if  he  had  every  now  and  then  to  break  into  a 
run  in  order  to  close  up  the  gap  that  was  constantly 
threatening  to  open  between  himself  and  the  rest  of  the 
party. 

Happily  for  him,  Sir  George  was  rather  short-winded, 
and  at  frequent  intervals  called  a  halt,  in  oruer  to  give 
himself  an  opportunity  to  regain  his  breath.  Otherwise 
Fergus  would  have  been  compelled  to  drop  out,  and 
make  his  way  back  to  camp. 

The  sun  was  high  in  the  heavens  before  they  got  into 
the  neighborhood  of  the  bear's  stronghold,  and  as  it  was 
of  the  utmost  importance  that  they  should  begin  the 
fight  feeling  thoroughly  fresh  and  fit,  the  governor  di- 
rected that  lunch  should  be  eaten  before  the  dogs  were 
started.  A  cool  mountain  spring  bubbled  up  near  by. 
They  made  no  fire,  but  contented  themselves  with  a  cool 
repast.  Then  the  men  had  a  pipe,  the  rifles  were  care- 
fully inspected,  the  hunting-knives  loosened  in  their 
sheaths,  and  following  close  in  Mekasto's  footsteps  the 
party  set  forth. 

The  utmost  quiet  was  preserved  by  all,  and  their  steps 
were  chosen  with  exceeding  care.  A  stumble,  a  cough, 
an  exclamation  might  reach  the  keen  ears  of  the  bear, 
and  bring  him  out  in  a  fury  of  indignation  at  their  dar- 
ing to  invade  his  territory  before  they  were  quite  ready 
to  receive  him.  In  breathless  expectancy  the  hunters 
stole  forward.  Sir  George  and  Mr.  Wadham  looked  as 
cool  as  though  they  were  after  nothing  more  important 
than  partridges  ;  the  Indians  were  instinct  with  eager- 
ness, and  had  hard  work  keeping  back  their  lean  hounds; 
the  half-breeds  seemed  rather  anxious,  and  Fergus  could 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


283 


almost  hear  his  heart  beat.  He  was  to  see  a  great 
grizzly  at  last,  ar  i  perhaps  help  to  kill  him.  No  wonder 
his  pulses  thrilled  with  excitement,  and  he  kept  his  finger 
upon  the  trigger  of  his  gun,  ready  to  pull  it  at  the 
shortest  possible  notice. 

They  had  glided  quietly  along  in  this  way  for  nearly 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  when,  at  a  signal  from  Mekasto,  the 
hounds  were  loosened  and  at  once  dashed  eagerly  for- 
ward sniffing  fiercely  here  and  there.  Some  anxious 
minutes  passed  while  they  hunted  for  the  scent.  Then  a 
triumphant  bark  from  the  oldest  of  the  pack,  a  very  ugly 
but  wonderfully  clever  dog,  announced  that  tracks  of  the 
bear  had  been  found.  Away  he  went  as  hard  as  he 
could  run,  the  other  dogs  following  close  behind,  and 
after  them  ran  the  hunters  holding  their  rifles  in  readi- 
ness for  immediate  use. 

The  trail  led  into  a  sort  of  ravine  with  a  stony  bottom 
and  jagged  precipitous  sides. 

"Keep  close  to  me,  Fergus,"  said  Sir  George,  as  they 
ran.  "  Don't  run  away  from  me,  as  you  did  on  the  buf- 
lalohunt." 

"Not  if  I  can  help  it,  sir,"  responded  Fergus,  ear- 
nestly, for  in  truth  his  one  thought  was  to  keep  close  to 
the  governor.  He  did  not  actually  feel  afraid.  Their 
party  seemed  too  strong  and  well  armed  for  even  the  most 
terrible  grizzly  to  do  them  any  harm.  But  the  whole 
affair  was  very  novel  to  him,  and  he  could  not  help  some 
nervousness. 

Presently  the  barking  of  the  hounds  changed  in  tone, 
and  as  Sir  George  noted  the  change,  he  exclaimed  ex- 
ultantly : 


284 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


**  They've  found  him.  They've  got  him  at  bay.  Now 
for  a  tussle. '  * 

Hurrying  on,  they  turned  a  corner  formed  by  a  j)ro- 
jecting  ledge,  and  then  there  broke  upon  their  sight  a 
scene  that  was  startling  enough  to  stir  the  heart  of  the 
most  case-hardened  hunter.  The  ravine  ended  suddenly 
in  a  kind  of  cul-de-sac^  and  against  the  farther  end  stood 
the  object  of  their  pursuit, — a  grizzly  of  gigantic  size 
and  appalling  aspect  as  he  faced  the  dogs  that  barked 
furiously  before  him,  darting  at  his  side^,  and  trying  to 
get  at  him  in  the  rear. 

**By  Jove,  Wad  ham  !  "  cried  Sir  George,  in  a  tone 
of  mingled  wonder  and  admiration.  **  What  a  magnifi- 
cent brute  !  "  Then,  turning  to  Fergus,  he  said,  in  a 
lower  tone  :  "  That's  old  Ephraim  himself.  Keep  your 
eye  on  him,  and  don't  let  him  get  his  claws  on  you." 

Fergus  could  only  nod  his  head  in  token  of  assent,  for 
words  failed  him.  He  was  simply  struck  dumb.  Never 
before  had  he  seen  so  terrible  a  monster.  His  first  im- 
pulse was  to  wheel  about  and  rush  down  the  ravine  as 
fast  as  his  young  legs  would  carry  him.  But  he  did  not 
yield  to  it.  Instead  of  that,  he  drew  himself  up  firmly, 
breathed  an  earnest  prayer  for  divine  protection,  set  his 
lips  close  together,  and  tightening  his  grasp  on  his  rifle, 
faced  the  grizzly  with  so  determined  an  aspect  that  Mr. 
Wadham  noting  it,  nudged  Sir  George,  saying  in  an  un- 
dertone : 

*'  Just  look  at  the  lad  !  He's  of  the  right  sort !  He's 
the  kind  of  apprentice  the  Company  wants." 

Just  then  the  bear,  hitherto  entirely  engrossed  with  the 
dogs,  caught  sight  of  its  human  assailants  closing  in  upon 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


285 


It  Day.     Now 


e,  in  a  tone 


lort !     He's 


it.  Giving  vent  to  a  hideous  growl,  it  lowered  its  head, 
and,  breaking  through  the  ring  of  dogs  as  though  they 
had  been  flies,  charged  straight  down  the  ravine.  There 
was  no  need  for  Mekasto  or  Sir  George  to  give  the  com- 
mand to  fire.  Each  man  leveled  his  gun  instinctively, 
and  at  the  same  moment  pulled  the  trigger.  Almost  like 
one  the  different  rifles  spoke,  and  their  leaden  utterances 
went  whistling  through  the  air  to  bury  themselves  in  the 
huge,  hairy  carcass  of  the  bear.  Fergus  alone  of  the 
party  did  not  fire,  the  reason  being  that  he  was  so  taken 
up  with  watching  the  bear's  shambling  yet  swift  approach 
that  he  quite  forgot  to  put  a  bullet  into  him.  It  proved 
a  few  minutes  later  to  be  a  happy  '^ircumstance  that  he 
had  reserved  his  fire. 

So  close  was  the  range,  that  not  one  of  those  who  fired 
altogether  missed,  although  some  of  the  bullets  did  very 
little  harm.  Others,  however,  found  their  way  deep  into 
the  mighty  frame,  inflicting  wounds  that  would  have  at 
once  disabled  any  other  animal  than  a  grizzly.  But  in- 
stead of  disabling  this  monster  of  strength  and  endur- 
ance, they  only  acted  as  spurs  to  fiercer  effort. 

Halting  for  an  instant  in  sheer  bewilderment  at  being 
stung  in  so  many  places  at  once,  he  suddenly  swung 
round  upon  the  dogs  that  had  been  hanging  on  to  his 
flanks,  and  with  one  fell  swoop  sent  two  of  them  yards 
away,  squirming  in  the  agonies  of  death. 

In  the  meantime  the  hunters  were  hard  at  work  re- 
cliarging  their  guns.  But  thosr-  nere  the  days  of  muzzle 
loaders.  The  breech-loader  was  yet  unknown,  and  it 
took  a  perceptible  time  for  even  the  most  skillful  marks- 
man to  load  again.     Moreover,  as  is  generally  the  case, 


286 


FEKGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


Li»' 


the  more  the  hurry,  the  less  the  speed.  Consequently 
when,  after  paying  his  respects  to  the  hounds  in  the 
manner  stated,  the  bear  faced  about  again,  and  despite 
the  fact  that  the  blood  was  streaming  from  several  places, 
bore  down  upon  the  men  with  undiminished  vigor,  his 
assailants  were  not  ready  for  him. 

They  made  no  pretence  of  awaiting  his  charge,  but  at 
once  proceeded  to  scramble  up  the  sides  of  the  ravino 
with  the  utmost  possible  haste.  In  this  movement  all 
succeeded  well  enough  except  Sir  George.  As  it  hap- 
pened, the  side  of  the  ravine  nearest  where  he  stood  rose 
quite  steeply,  and  at  the  bottom  was  a  gathering  of  loose 
stones  upon  which  he  slipped  when  he  attempted  to 
spring  up.  The  infuriated  grizzly  noted  this,  and  pay- 
ing no  attention  to  the  others,  made  straight  for  the 
governor. 

"Great  heavens!"  cried  Mr.  Wadham,  who  had 
reached  the  top  of  the  bank  with  little  difficulty.  ''  Sir 
George  is  not  up,  and  look  at  the  bear  1  ' ' 

Sir  George's  position  was  certainly  one  of  extreme 
peril.  The  bear  was  within  twenty  yards  of  him,  and 
lumbering  forward  with  furious  bounds.  The  bank  be- 
hind him  was  not  to  be  climbed.  To  try  any  other  point 
would  be  to  throw  himself  into  the  grasp  of  the  bear ; 
his  gun  was  loaded,  but  not  capped,  and  his  cap  pouch 
had  somehow  swung  round  out  of  reach.  There  was  noth- 
ing for  it  but  to  draw  his  hunting-knife  and  defend  him- 
self with  it  as  best  he  might. 

Now  a  single  man,  however  big  and  strong,  armed 
only  with  a  knife,  however  keen,  is  a  very  poor  match 
for  a  grizzly  bear  with  his  blood  up  ;  and  this  grizzly  had 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVI&H. 


287 


his  blood  up  to  fever  point.  He  was,  in  fact,  in  the 
most  bloodthirsty  of  tempers,  and  nothing  but  a  bullet 
in  his  brain  or  through  his  heart  would  be  sufficient  to 
bring  him  to  a  full  stop.  But  who  was  to  fire  that  bullet  ? 
The  rest  of  the  party,  having  gained  a  place  of  safety, 
were  now  hard  at  work  finishing  the  loading  up  of  their 
guns.  Fergus  alone  was  ready  to  fire.  What  could  he 
do  to  save  Sir  George  ? 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


A   GLAD    HOME-COMING. 


THE  point  in  the  side  of  the  ravine  where  Fergus,  not 
without  difficulty,  scrambled  up  was  some  little  dis- 
tance away  from  Sir  George's  position,  but  the  moment 
he  reached  the  top  he  hurried  over  until  he  stood  just 
behind  and  above  the  governor.  He  fully  realized  the 
extremely  critical  nature  of  the  situation,  and  the  need 
of  immediate  action  if  he  would  save  Sir  George  from 
terrible  injury  if  not  death. 

Now  altho'^gh  as  a  horseman  Fergus  had  still  much  to 
learn,  as  a  marksman  he  was  more  than  ordinarily  sure. 
His  keen  vision,  steady  rerves,  and  strong  self-control 
stood  him  in  good  stead  when  he  held  a  rifle.  In  this 
present  emergency  he  rose  to  the  occasion  as  could 
hardly  have  been  expected  of  one  of  his  years,  Tlie 
thought  of  delivering  his  kind  friend  and  benefac  tor 
banished  all  nervousness.  There  was  no  time  to  take 
careful  aim,  yet  it  was  no  shot  at  random  that  he  fired. 
Instinctively  he  chose  the  best  possible  place  that  pre- 
sented itself  at  the  time,  and  at  the  crack  of  his  rifle  a 
bullet  winged  its  way  with  deadly  accuracy  to  the  spot 
just  at  the  base  of  the  brain  where  the  spinal  cord  joins 
the  skull. 

The  moment  he  was  struck  the  bear  gave  vent  to  an 
awful  sound,  half-roar,  half-scream,  and  then  pitched  for- 
ward upon  his  nose,  rolling  right  up  to  Sir  George's  feet 
288 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


289 


as  dead  as  one  of  the  stones  upon  which  his  huge  carcase 
lay  limp  and  bleeding. 

Letting  the  knife  with  which  he  had  intended  to  de- 
fend himself  to  the  last  drop  from  his  hand,  Sir  George 
turned  around,  and  looking  up  to  the  top  of  the  bank, 
cried : 

"Who  fired  that  shot?'* 

"I  did,  sir,"  replied  Fergus.  "I'm  coming  down 
right  away,"  and  so  saying  he  recklessly  scrambled  down 
to  the  governor's  side. 

He  had  hardly  touched  the  ground  before  Sir  George's 
arms  were  flung  about  his  neck,  and  he  was  receiving  an 
embrace  that  fairly  squeezed  the  breath  out  of  him. 

*'  My  noble  boy  !  "  exclaimed  the  governor.  ^'  From 
what  an  awful  death  you  saved  me  !  How  can  I  ever  be 
thankful  enough.  Never  will  I  forget  the  service  you 
have  done  me."  And  then  the  fervent  embrace  was  re- 
peated. 

By  this  time  the  rest  of  the  party  had  gathered  round, 
and  Fergus,  a  little  to  his  embarrassment  and  still  more 
to  his  gratification,  became  the  object  of  their  praise 
expressed  as  heartily  as  they  knew  how.  Even  the  taci- 
turn braves  were  moved  to  grunt  their  approval  of  his 
timely  shot,  while  Mr.  Wadham  seemed  as  proud  of  his 
exploit  as  if  he  had  been  his  own  brother. 

Sir  George  was  deeply  moved  by  his  narrow  escape. 

"  Never  before  was  I  in  more  imminent  peril,"  said  he, 
solemnly.  **  That  awful  brute  seemed  to  be  right  upon 
me.  I  thought  I  could  feel  his  hot  breath,  and  I  knew 
my  knife  would  be  no  good.  What  was  the  matter  with 
your  rifles  ?     Why  didn't  some  of  you  fire  too  ? 

T 


>  > 


290 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


The  others  hastened  to  explain  what  had  prevented 
them  from  being  of  any  service,  and  then  Sir  George] 
turned  to  Fergus  again. 

''And  so  you  were  the  only  one  ready,  Fergus.  Fmi 
thankful  to  God  you  were,  and  that  your  skill  with  ihej 
rifle  did  not  fail  you.  Where  did  you  hit  him?  He  feili 
the  moment  your  bullet  struck  him." 

"I  think  I  hit  him  in  the  neck,  sir,  just  back  of  the; 
head,"  answered  Fergus. 

The  huge  body  was  examined,  and  there,  sure  enough, 
right  at  the  base  of  the  brain  was  the  wound,  marked  bv 
a  few  drops  of  blood  which  had  oozed  out  upon  the 
rough  fur. 

"By  my  faith,  but  that  was  a  marvelous  shot !  "  ex- 
claimed Sir  George,  clapping  the  boy  warmly  upon  the 
back.  "  Not  one  of  us  could  have  done  better — or  \m- 
haps  as  well.  You  have  good  reason  to  feel  proud. 
Here,  Mekasto,  off  with  old  Ephraim's  skin.  Do  it  as 
carefully  as  you  would  for  yourself.  It's  Fergus'  jiri/e. 
and  he  must  take  it  home  with  him  to  show  them  there 
what  a  hunter  he  is.  Ah,  my  boy!  "  he  added,  laying 
his  hand  affectionately  on  Fergus'  shoulder,  '•you're 
just  the  kind  of  lad  we  want  in  the  Company,  and  we 
can't  have  too  many  of  you." 

In  all  the  course  of  the  struggle  l)etween  what  in  some 
strange,  instinctive  way  he  felt  to  be  a  divine  i)urpose 
concerning  liim  that  it  was  not  only  his  duty,  but  his 
highest  privilege  to  fulfill,  and  the  constant  j)r()niiitin::s 
of  ambition,  pride,  and  self-gratification,  there  was  in 
more  critic  al  moment  than  when  Sir  George  thus  ad- 
dressed him. 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


291 


just  back  of  the  I 


Flushed  with  delight  at  having  rescued  from  a  hideous 
death  the  man  who  had  conferred  so  many  favors  upon 
him, — the  greatest  man  in  all  the  Northwest, — palpitat- 
ing with  pride  at  the  success  of  his  shot  and  the  un- 
stinted praise  of  the  whole  party,  and  assured  of  the 
kindly  interest  and  influence  of  the  governor  should  he 
liecide  to  enter  into  the  service  of  the  Company,  his 
Ijture  at  that  moment,  so  far  as  it  rested  with  himself, 
liiing  in  the  balance.  Had  Sir  George  gone  on  to  ask 
of  him  a  promise  that  he  would  renounce  all  those 
romantic  notions  about  being  a  missionary,  and  like  a 
sensible  young  fellow  make  up  his  mind  to  begin  his 
apprenticeship  with  the  Company  right  away,  there  is 
liUie  doubt  that  he  would  have  yielded.  But  evidently 
Providence  did  not  intend  it  so.  The  factor  of  Fort  La 
JoiKiuiere  at  that  moment  broke  in  with  a  question  as  to 
whether  they  would  all  wait  for  the  Indians  to  finish  the 
jtciiuiing  of  the  bear,  or  return  to  camp  and  send  up 
one  of  the  horses  for  the  heavy  skin. 

"We  needn't  wait,"  replied  Sir  George,  his  attention 
thus  called  away.  '*  We'll  saunter  back  to  camp  at  our 
ease,  and  a  horse  can  come  up  for  the  skin." 

Neither  that  afternoon  nor  during  the  homeward 
journey  did  Sir  George  again  make  reference  to  the 
matter,  seeming  to  take  it  for  granted,  as  indeed  did  also 
Mr.  Wadham,  tiiat  the  sul)ject  required  no  further  dis- 

Misqon. 

Il  was  midsummer  when  the  little  party  Kft  i'^ort 
(liirry.  It  was  midsummer  when  they  relumed,  and 
there  they  broke  up,  Sir  George  and  Mr.  Wadham,  after 
a  positively  affectionate  farewell,  continuing  their  journey 


292 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


eastward  to  Montreal,  while  Fergus  had  to  wait  until 
joining  some  party  bound  northward,  he  could  turn  his] 
face  toward  the  beloved  home  from  which  he  had  been  I 
so  many  months  absent. 

"Take  the  best  of  care  of  yourself,  Fergus,"  was  the 
governor's  parting  injunction.  **  You  may  look  for  me 
at  Norway  House  next  summer.  My  kindest  regards  to 
your  father  and  mother  and  the  Oldens.  Good-bye. 
God  bless  you." 

Sir  George's  eyes  were  a  little  misty  as  he  spoke.  The 
young  Scotch  lad  had  gotten  nearer  the  heart  of  the 
sharp,  stern  autocrat  than  ever  one  outside  of  his  own 
kin  had  done.  No  reasonable  favor  that  it  lay  within 
his  power  to  grant  would  he  have  refused  him.  There 
were  even  moments  when  he  thought  of  proposing  to 
adopt  him.  But  he  dismissed  the  idea  as  out  of  the 
question,  knowing  that  the  MacTavishes  would  no  more 
consent  to  part  with  their  only  son  than  he  would  to  go 
out  from  his  home  for  the  sake  of  the  most  glittering 
prospects  in  the  world. 

The  month  of  October  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and 
the  MacTavishes  had,  as  they  themselves  would  express 
it,  long  been  wearying  for  their  boy.  Not  only  did  they 
miss  him  soiely,  not  only  did  the  days  seem  strangely 
([uiet  and  dull  and  long  without  him,  but  Mrs.  Mac'I'av- 
ish,  motherlike,  could  not  help  worrying  not  a  little  from 
time  to  time  as  she  reviewed  all  the  ])Ossil)ilities  of  jeril 
in  such  a  journey  as  that  in  which  he  was  engjgcd. 
Perils  by  water  and  perils  by  land,  perils  from  beasts  and 
perils  from  men,  man\'  a  night  she  lay  awake,  uuiiMr  to 
bleep  for  thinking  of  them,  and  fmding  her  only  euiii 


FERGUS   MAC   TAV^ISH. 


293 


iiost  glittering 


fort  in  renewed  committal  of  the  keeping  of  her  darling 
to  God. 

It  was  no  use  telling  her  anxiety  to  her  hiisl)and. 
"Hoot,  Ailie  !  "  he  would  say.  '' Avva'  withsucii  fool- 
ish notions.  Ye  canna  keep  the  boy  tethered  at  hauie 
by  ycr  apron  strings.  He  maun  learn  to  make  hi^  own 
way  in  the  warld,  and  who  can  teach  him  better  how  to 
jcgin  than  Sir  George  himself?  " 

At  the  same  time,  although  the  chief  trader  thus  sought 
to  make  light  of  his  wife's  apprehension,  he  was  not  en- 
tirely free  from  something  of  the  kind  himself,  as  the 
Ja\s  slipped  by  without  bringing  sign  or  word  of 
FcrL;us. 

'*  It's  verra  strange,"  he  would  mutter  under  his  breath. 
''I  canna  understand  it.  The  laddie  should  have  been 
hame  the  first  o*  the  month,  and  it  will  soon  be  the  last, 
and  there's  na  thing  aboot  him." 

Again  and  again  through  the  day  would  he  ascend 
Flagstaff  Hill  and  look  out  across  the  lake,  in  the  hope 
ot"  descrying  a  boat  or  canoe  that  uiight  be  bearing  Fer- 
ais  toward  him,  and  every  time  he  came  away  disap- 
jiuinted  his  anxiety  deepened,  although  he  (arefully 
concealed  from  his  wife  the  fact  that  he  felt  any  concern 
at  all. 

The  very  last  day  of  October  came,  and  still  no  Fer- 
gus. Mr.  MacTavish  spent  most  of  the  day  upon  the 
hill.  It  was  a  dreary  day.  A  storm  was  brewing  to  the 
eastward,  and  would  no  doubt  break  out  before  midnight. 
His  spirits  were  at  their  lowest  ebb.  A  harrowing  pre- 
M'ntiment  of  approaching  ill  held  his  heart  in  its  grasp 
and  refused  to  be  shaken  off.     About  the  middle  of  the 


294 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


M 


afternoon  he  was  called  away  from  the  hill  by  a  matter 
requiring  his  attention  for  a  little  while.  When  he  re- 
turned he  found  his  wife  in  his  place,  peering  across  the 
dark,  troubled  waters  of  the  lake,  with  pale,  anxious 
face.  He  did  his  best  to  seem  at  his  ease.  But  the  >c\i'- 
restraint  so  well  maintained  hitherto  gave  way,  and 
gathering  his  wife  in  his  arms,  he  sa'd,  in  broken,  liusky 
tones  : 

''Ailie,  dear.  The  gude  Lord  grant  that  nae  harm 
has  befallen  oor  only  bairn." 

Mrs.  MacTavish  clung  close  to  her  stalwart  luisband, 
and  in  a  voice  scarcely  audible,  whispered  : 

**  Dugald,  let  us  pray  to  him." 

They  knelt  together  on  the  rocky  summit,  and  tlie 
chief  trader  poured  forth  his  soul  in  passionate,  i)leadini; 
prayer  for  the  safe  and  speedy  return  of  their  son.  He 
wrestled  witn  God  as  Jacob  did  with  the  angel.  It  was 
many  minutes  before  the  strong  voice  ceased,  and  rising 
to  his  feet,  leaving  his  wife  still  upon  her  knees,  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish once  more  swept  the  surface  of  the  lake  with  his 
keen  vision. 

Instantly  he  gave  a  glad  shout. 

"Ailie,  look!  look!"  he  cried.  "A  sail  that  is, 
surely.  There!  There!"  And  with  finger  ({uivLring 
with  excitement,  he  i)ointed  due  south  to  where  a  bit  of 
white,  no  larger  seemingly  than  the  palm  of  his  hand, 
broke  the  monotony  of  sombre  waves  tossing  sullenly 
beneath  the  leaden  sky.  With  breathless  eagerness  they 
watciied  it  a.s  it  seemed  to  flutter  toward  them  like  a  leat 
driven  by  the  wiml. 

**  A  sail  it  is,  Ailie  !  "  cried  Mr.  MacTavish,  in  jovial 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


295 


f 
lill  by  a  matter 

Wlicn  he  re-  k 
ing  across  the  I 
pale,   an\i(,us  f 
But  the  Mi'.  ^ 
^ave    way,  and  t 
broken,  liusky  i 

that  nae  harm  | 

wart  husband,  ^' 


nmit,  and  the 
)nate,  plead ini; 
heir  son.  He 
mgel.  It  was 
sed,  and  rising 
lees,  Mr.  Mac- 
I  lake  with  his 


V  sail  that  is,  ^; 
igcr  (juivering 
kvhere  a  bit  of 
1  of  his  hand, 
(ssing  sullenly 
eagerness  ihey 
J  in  like  a  leaf 

vish,  in  joyful 


tones.     **  It's  one  of  the  boats  ;  and  nae  doot  oor  laddie 
b aboard." 

Mrs.  MacTavish's  face  grew  bright  at  the  words. 

"  God  grant  it  may  be.  But  can  they  get  to  us  before 
the  dark?  "  she  added,  in  a  tone  of  some  anxiety. 

**  Surely,  Ailie,  surely,  "  answered  the  chief  trader. 
•They  should  be  at  the  beach  wdthin  the  hour." 

"  But  the  wind's  not  in  their  favor,"  urged  his  wife. 
•And  they  may  be  kept  back." 

"Ye're  right,  Ailie,  ye're  right,  my  own  lass,"  1 
Mr.  MacTavish.  **I  maun  get  a  liglit  to  guide  them. 
IJide  ye  here,  and  I'll  rin  back  to  the  Fort  and  bring  up 
twa  lanterns." 

Away  dashed  the  chief  trader  down  the  hill,  while  his 
wife  fastened  her  gaze  upon  the  boat  beating  its  way  up 
sturdily  toward  the  Fort,  and  followed  its  every  move- 
ment with  a  prayer  for  the  safe  landing  of  those  on 
bourd. 

In  a  wonderfully  short  time  Mr.  MacTavish  returned 
with  a  big  lantern  in  each  hand,  their  light  giving  a 
welcome  gleam  through  the  growing  dusk. 

"  Noo,  Ailie,"  said  he,  handing  her  one,  **  you  just 
bide  here,  and  I'll  go  down  to  the  beach  and  guide  them 
to  the  landing." 

The  white  sail  could  barely  be  made  out  as  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish went  down  to  the  btach,  and  st)on  the  deepening 
d.irkness  shut  it  out  from  sight  altogether;  but  the  two 
lanterns  sent  their  guiding  rays  far  out  over  the  waters 
of  the  lake,  and  presently  from  out  the  gloom  there 
came  a  lusty  hail  of: 

"  Norway  Houie  ahoy  1 


1 1 


296 


FEPwGUS  MAG  TAVISH. 


%   ' 


To  which  the  chief  trader  responded,  with  a  stentorian 
voice : 

**  What  boat  is  that  ?     Who's  on  board  ?  " 

Hardly  had  his  challenge  gone  forth,  than  there  came 
back  across  the  waves  a  voice  that  sent  a  thrill  of  inde- 
scribable joy  through  his  whole  being. 

*'  Father,  I'm  on  board  !  "  it  cried. 

There  was  wonderful  gladness  expressed  in  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish's  tone,  as  he  shouted  back  : 

*'  Fergus,  my  ain  dear  boy  !  Have  you  come  back  at 
last?" 

A  few  minutes  later  the  boat  struck  the  beach,  and 
without  waiting  for  her  to  be  hauled  up,  Fergu»  leaped 
out  into  his  father's  arms. 

Very  fervent  were  the  greetings  exchanged  between 
father  aud  son,  and  then  Fergus,  looking  about  him, 
asked  : 

**  And  where  is  mother,  father?  " 

But  the  question  was  scarcely  asked  before  a  light  step 
came  swiftly  up,  and  with  an  exclamation  of  **  My  dar- 
ling Fergus  !  "  his  mother's  arms  were  thrown  around 
his  neck,  and  he  was  strained  to  her  heart. 

There  was  a  general  thanksgiving  held  in  the  chief 
trader's  house  that  night.  The  news  of  Fergus'  safe  re- 
turn quickly  spread,  and  the  officers  and  clerks,  from 
Mr.  Barnston  down,  crowded  in  with  their  greetings  and 
congratulations.  Even  old  Papanakes  made  bold  to  pre- 
sent himself  with  few  words,  but  with  an  unmistakable 
Iness  in  his  dusky  countenance  that  told  how  dear 


gladi 

Fergus  was  to  him. 


his 
ih? 
as 


How  proud  the  MacTavishes  were  of  their  boy  !     He 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


297 


h  a  stentorian 


>» 


m  there  came 
:hrill  of  inde- 


1  in  Mr.  IMac- 

come  back  at 

e  beach,  and 
Fergu:5  leaped 

nged  between 
z  about  him, 


e  a  light  step 
Df  "  My  dar- 
rown  around 

'  in  the  chief 
rgus'  safe  re- 
clerks,  from 
greetings  and 
;  bold  to  })rc- 
unmistakable 
old  how  dear 

r  boy  !     He 


f  ] 


'i 


L 


r 


had  grown  perceptibly  taller  during  his  long  outing,  and 
his  face  was  tanned  a  rich  brown  by  the  summer  suns,  sc 
that  he  looked,  as  his  fond  mother  put  it,  ''  as  handsome 
as  a  picture."  And  how  his  tongue  ran  on,  while  they 
plied  him  with  questions  about  his  trip  across  the 
prairies ! 

The  explanation  of  his  being  so  long  over-due  was 
simple  enough.  He  had  been  waiting  at  Red  River  for 
a  chance  to  come  home,  and  day  after  day  had  passed 
without  any  opportunity  presenting  itself,  until  at  ki^t 
Mr.  Sutherland,  moved  by  the  boy's  evident  uneasiness 
of  mind,  and  appreciating  how  his  parents  must  be  long- 
ing for  him,  and  perhaps  worrying  about  him,  ordered 
three  of  his  men  to  take  him  up  in  a  boat,  without  any 
further  delay. 

So  Fergus'  home-coming  was  quite  in  keeping  with  his 
setting  forth.  The  boat  and  its  crew  were  at  his  service, 
and  Mr.  Sirtherland  had  impressed  upon  the  men  that 
their  one  business  was  to  get  him  in  good  order  and  con- 
dition to  Norway  House  in  the  shortest  time  possible. 

They  executed  their  commission  faithfully,  wasting 
none  of  the  precious  hours  of  daylight,  but  pushing  on 
regardless  of  wind  or  weather,  and  bringing  their  passen- 
ger to  his  destination  just  in  time  to  escape  a  storm, 
which,  if  it  had  caught  them  out  on  the  lake,  would 
assuredly  have  brought  their  voyage  to  a  disastrous  con- 
clusion. 

It  was  far  into  the  night  before  Fergus  found  his  way 
to  bed.  He  had  so  muc  h  to  tell,  and  the  others  had  so 
many  questions  to  ask.  (Jf  course,  he  did  not  forget  the 
Imffalo  hunt,  and  the  thrilling  chah;e  of  the  grizzly,  making 


298 


FEKGUS   MAC  TA VISIT. 


his  own   part  in  the  latter  clear  enough,  yet  not  bciii'' 
unduly  boastful  about  it. 

'*Ah,  Fergus,  laddie !"  said  his  father,  patting  him 
proudly  on  the  head.  "  But  that  was  a  grand  shot !  Ami 
it's  a  good  friend  ye  made  by  it.  Sir  George  thought  verra 
weel  o'  you  before,  but  he'll  be  thinking  a  hundred-fold 
better  o'  ye  noo.  And  he  never  forgets,  Fergus.  He 
never  forgets.  There's  nothing  in  reason  that  he'd  refu-^e 
ye  after  that." 

It  was  the  chief  trader's  way  to  take  a  very  practi(  al 
view  of  things.  He  never  forgot  to  be  the  shrewd,  hard- 
headed,  canny  Scotchman  that  nature  and  experience  had 
made  him.  And  so  when  he  heard  from  Fergus  of  the 
governor's  timely  rescue  from  certain  death,  his  fust 
thought  was  that  of  pride  at  his  son's  brilliant  exploit, 
and  his  second  of  what  a  claim  had  been  thus  estalJislicd 
upon  the  gratitude  of  the  great  man  who  held  the  fortune 
of  many  hundreds  of  his  fellowmen  in  his  hands. 

Not  that  he  desired  or  expected  anything  for  him^' If. 
His  whole  concern  was  for  Fergus,  the  joy  and  prid  of 
his  life.  How  bright  his  prospects  in  the  Compinv's 
service  would  be  with  Sir  George  s  influence  aJ^ul•t.d. 
Mr.  MacTavish  indulged  in  the  building  of  some  lofty 
and  imposing  castles  in  the  air  that  night  as  he  sat  by  the 
fire  enjoying  nis  last  pipe  after  his  wife  and  Fergus  had 
retired.  He  i)ictured  his  boy  rising  rapidly  step  by  st(  p 
from  clerk  to  chief  factor,  and  then,  perha])s, — who 
should  sa}'  impossible — was  not  Sir  George  himself  a 
])lain  clerk  once? — reaching  in  the  fullness  of  time  tlic 
di/zy  height  of  the  governorship! 

It  was  a  brilliant  day-dream,  and  the  chief  trader's 


fui 


r 

ck 

p 

fol 

1 

ha 

FERGUS   MAC  TAVISII. 


299 


yet  not  l)cin<' 


g  him 


,  pattm 
^tl  shot !  And 
thought  verra 
huncIrcd-foKl 
Fergus.  He- 
at he'd  refii>e 

very  practical 
Jhrewd,  hard- 
xpcrience  had 
Fergus  of  the 
-ath,  his  first 
liant  exjjloit, 
JS  established 
d  the  fortune 
ands. 

J  for  himself, 
and  prid'  of 
-  Comjjiny's 
nee  ajsured. 
f  some  loftv 
he  sat  by  the 
i  Fergus  had 

step  by  st(  p 
rhaps, — who 
:e    himself  a 

of  time  the 

lief  trader's 


furrowed  face  seemed  to  take  on  some  of  the  light  of  the 
leaping  flames  as  he  gave  his  fancy  full  play. 

*'Ah,  Fergus,  my  son,"  he  murmured.  ''Ye  maun 
dear  yer  head  of  all  these  foolish  notions  of  yours  a])oot 
following  after  Mr.  Olden.  Leave  that  for  those  tiuit 
have  nae  sich  chances  as  Providence  has  put  in  your  way." 

And  so  saying  he  knocked  the  ashes  out  of  his  pii)e, 
covered  over  the  fire  with  ashes,  and  went  to  his  bed 
without  a  disturbing  doubt  in  his  mind  that  matters 
would  all  turn  out  just  as  he  wisiied. 

Bright  and  early  the  next  morning  the  Oldens  made 
their  appearance,  their  faces  full  of  gladness  at  seeing 
Fergus  once  more.  While  he  was  away  their  new  home 
out  on  the  island  had  been  completed,  and  they  had 
taken  possession,  the  necessary  furniture  for  making  it 
comfortable  having  come  from  England  by  way  of  York 
Factory. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olden  greeted  the  young  traveler  as^ 
affectionately  as  if  he  were  their  own  son,  but  Ruth  hung 
shyly  in  the  background  until  Fergus,  exclaiming  in  a 
tone  of  feigned  reproach:  ''Why,  Ruthie,  aren't  you 
glad  to  see  me?"  caught  her  face  in  his  hands,  and 
imprinted  a  sounding  kiss  upon  each  of  her  plump,  rosy 
cheeks,  very  much  to  the  amusement  of  the  elders. 

"Did  you  learn  that  at  Red  River,  Fergus?"  asked 
his  father,  while  Ruth,  breaking  away  from  his  grasp, 
darted  behind  her  mother,  blushing  like  a  young  peony. 

"Why,  no,  sir,"  answered  Fergus,  laughing.  "I  didn't 
need  to  learn  it.     I  always  knew." 

Of  course,  he  had  to  fight  his  battles  with  bear  and 
huffalo  over  again,  and  the  morning  slipped  by  while  he 


300 


FEPwGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


was  doing  it,  and  telling  Mr.  Olden  all  he  could  about 
the  different  tribes  of  Indians  he  had  seen,  and  what  sort 
of  beings  they  appeared  to  be.  The  missionary  was  even 
more  deeply  interested  in  the  Indians  than  in  the  wild 
animals  of  the  prairies  and  the  mountains.  He  looked 
forward  to  the  day  when  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  would 
be  sent  to  every  tribe  throughout  the  whole  Northwest, 
and  he  was  eager  to  learn  all  he  could  about  the  red  men 
of  those  distant  regions.  The  results  of  his  own  labors  at 
Norway  House  had  been  such  as  to  fill  his  heart  with 
hope,  and  to  furnish  him  with  strong  arguments  where- 
with to  confront  the  incredulity  of  the  chief  trader. 

Mr.  MacTavish  noted  his  lively  interest,  and  it  re- 
minded him  of  the  necessity  of  guarding  against  Fergus 
being  again  carried  away  by  missionary  enthusiasm  to 
the  frustration  of  all  his  brilliant  worldly  prospects.  He 
thc-ight  it  well  accordingly  to  have  a  few  words  in  pri- 
vate with  Mr.  Olden  during  the  afternoon,  in  the  course 
of  which  he  repeated  his  unalterable  opposition  to  his 
son's  entering  upon  any  other  career  than  that  awaiting 
him  in  the  Company's  service,  and  asked  of  the  mission- 
ary his  assurance  that  he  would  not  try  in  any  way,  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  to  influence  Fergus  toward  going  into 
the  missionary  work. 

Mr.  Olden  had  of  course  no  other  alternative  than  to 
comply.  Mr.  MacTavish  was  requiring  no  more  than 
his  right  as  a  parent.  Until  his  boy  reached  his  majority 
his  destiny  lay  in  his  hands,  and  to  endeavor  to  influence 
him  in  a  direction  counter  to  that  the  father  had  chosen 
would  be  an  unwarrantable  interference  in  another's 
concerns. 


I 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


301 


could  about 
iid  what  sort 
iry  was  even 
I  in  the  wild 

He  looked 
Christ  would 
J  Northwest, 
the  red  men 
wn  labors  at 
5  heart  with 
[lents  where- 

trader. 
,  and  it  re- 
al nst  Fergus 
ithusiasm  to 
)spects.  He 
ords  in  pri- 
1  the  course 
ition  to  his 
lat  awaiting 
he  mission- 
ny  way,  di- 
i  going  into 

ive  than  to 
more  than 
lis  majority 
to  influence 
had  chosen 
I   another's 


m 


m 


m 


"  I  will  certainly  do  as  you  wish,  Mr.  MacTavish,"  he 
said,  with  a  half-suppressed  sigh.  *'  It  would  ill  become 
me  to  do  aught  to  thwart  your  plans  for  your  boy,  how- 
ever strongly  I  may  be  of  opinion  that  he  is  fit  for  a 
more  exalted  position  than  that  now  filled  by  Sir  George. 
Vou  may  smile,  Mr.  MacTavish.  I  don't  expect  you  to 
agree  with  me.  But  I  believe  that  in  the  eyes  of  Him 
who  rules  above,  the  humblest  missionary  now  toiling 
auay  in  some  obscure  field  of  work,  where  he  has  little 
thanks  and  less  honor,  stands  far  higher  than  any  of 
those  whom  the  world  calls  great,  and  delights  to  honor. 
It  is  the  approbation  of  heaven,  not  the  empty  applause 
of  earth  that  I  covet  for  Fergus.  I  believe  him  to  have 
qualifications  for  rare  usefulness  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 
But  I  have  no  right  to  take  his  case  into  my  own  hands 
as  you  have  into  yours.  And  of  this  I  am  confident,  that 
if  the  Lord  requires  him  he  will  in  his  own  blessed  way 
enlist  him  in  his  service." 

The  chief  trader  was  more  impressed  by  Mr.  Olden's 
eloquent,  earnest  words  than  he  cared  to  admit,  so  with 
a  somewhat  abrupt  "As  you  please,  Mr.  Olden.  Ye  may 
be  richt,  but  my  mind's  unchanged,"  he  dismissed  the 
subject,  and  did  not  refer  to  it  again  until  the  Divine 
hand  was  laid  upon  him  as  will  in  due  time  appear. 

He  was  very  glad  the  mission  station  had  been  removed 
to  the  island.  Fergus  would  not  now  be  brought  into 
such  constant  contact  with  the  missionary  as  when  the 
latter  lived  at  Norway  House,  and  there  would  be  good 
opportunity  for  his  very  unpractical,  even  if  praise- 
worthy, ideas  about  his  future  to  change  into  the  direc- 
tion his  father  so  much  desired. 


302 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISII. 


Fergus  was  glad  on  his  part  also  of  the  removal  of  the 
missionary  and  his  family  to  the  island  because  it  gave 
him  another  home,  and  that  meant  much  in  a  region 
where  society  was  almost  unknown.  So  soon  as  the  i(  e 
made  on  the  lake,  and  he  could  once  more  harness 
Bruce  and  Here  and  the  others  of  his  matchless  team 
into  the  cariole,  hardly  a  day  jxisscd  that  he  did  not  pay 
the  Oldens  a  visit,  staying  with  them  to  dinner  or  tea, 
and  then  flying  home  again  as  fast  as  his  big  pets  could 
drair  him. 

The  energetic  missionary  had  done  wonders  during 
the  summer.  A  strong,  snug  cottage.,  and  a  tiny  barn, 
in  whi("h  some  day  or  other  he  hoped  to  put  a  cow,  had 
been  built  for  himself,  and  quite  a  cosy  little  chapel  for 
holding  service  in.  Everything,  of  course,  was  very 
simple  and  plain  ;  but  it  was  sufficient  for  the  purpose, 
and  Mrs.  Olden,  with  a  woman's  wondrous  art,  had  man- 
aged to  give  an  exceedingly  comfortable  homelike  air  to 


the 


cottage. 


Nor    was    the   little   church    neglected. 


Brightly  colored  pictures,  illust.  .Jng  the  life  of  Christ, 
helped  to  hide  the  roughness  of  the  walls,  and  here  and 
there  were  touches  that  revealed  a  woman's  hand. 

All  this  was  not  lost  upon  the  Indians.  They  found 
the  bright,  well-warmed  church  very  attractive  on  the 
dark,  c.ld  autumn  evenings,  and  flocked  in  to  fill  the 
seats  whenever  the  ringing  of  the  bell  announced  that 
service  was  to  be  held,  so  that  Mr.  Olden  could  always 
count  upon  having  a  good  congregation. 

His  efforts  on  their  behalf  were  not  confined  to  prea(  h- 
ing  them  sermons.  He  undertook  to  teach  them  al>o  ; 
and  every  morning  the  church  held  a  score  of  boys  and 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


303 


emoval  of  the 
:causc  it  gave 
1  in  a  region 
)on  as  the  ic  e 
more  harness 
atchless  team 
e  did  not  i)ay 
linncr  or  tea, 
Jig  pets  could 

•nders  durinir 
I  a  tiny  barn, 
lit  a  cow,  had 
:le  chapel  for 
■se,  was  \'ery 
"  the  pur[)ose, 
art,  had  nian- 
)melike  air  to 
h  neglected, 
fe  of  Christ, 
and  here  and 

hand. 

They  found 
Lct've  on  the 
in  to  fdl  the 
nounced  that 
could  always 

2d  to  prea(  li- 

h  them  also ; 

of  boys  and 


prls  to  whom  he  gave  instruction  in  the  three  R's,  and 
ill  singing  also.  They  were  a  rather  noisy  set  of  young- 
sters, but  fairly  bright,  and  many  of  them  very  anxious 
to  learn,  so  that  the  missionary's  patient  lal)ors  were 
not  without  encouragement.  Ruth  helped  him  to  the 
best  of  her  ability,  and  Mrs.  Olden  generally  managed 
to  find  time  to  give  the  girls  a  lesson  in  the  science  of 
the  needle. 

No  sooner  had  Fergus  settled  down  at  home,  than  he 
became  possessed  with  a  desire  to  be  Mr.  Oldeii's  assist- 
ant in  the  s(  hool.  It  would  give  him  occupation  for  the 
mornings  all  winter  long,  and  he  felt  sure  he  would  enjoy 
it.  But,  very  much  to  his  suri)risc  and  disappointment, 
his  father  firmly  objected,  giving  as  his  reason  that  he 
would  be  better  employed  taking  lessons  from  Mr.  Harn- 
ston  in  the  keeping  of  accounts,  and  other  work,  such  as 
would  fall  to  his  lot  when  he  began  his  clerkship  the  fol- 
lowing summer.  The  more  he  knevv  at  the  start  the 
quicker  would  be  his  progress  upward  in  the  service. 

Fergus  felt  strongly  impelled  to  once  more  make 
known  to  his  father  his  positive  disinclination  to  take  a 
clerkship  with  the  Company,  and  his  no  less  positive  de- 
sire to  be  allowed  to  prepare  himself  for  work  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  the  Indians.  But  there  was  something  in  his 
father's  look  and  tone  that  tied  his  tongue. 

The  fact  was,  Mr.  MacTavish  had  anticipated  a  protest 
from  his  son,  and  probably  an  animated  argument ;  and 
he  determined  to  stave  it  off,  if  possible,  by  assuming 
that  somewhat  stern  imperative  manner  which  Fergus 
noticed,  and  which  led  him  to  keep  silence.  This  silence 
was  misunderstood  by  the  ciiief  trader.     He  interpreted 


•s' 


304 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


M^- 


it  as  implying  that  the  change  he  desired  had  taken  place 
in  Fergus'  mind,  and  that  he  no  longer  cherished  his 
former  notions.  Of  course,  he  greatly  rejoiced  at  this, 
and  his  manner  underwent  so  sudden  a  change  that  Fergus 
was  completely  mystified. 

Thus  both  father  and  son  missed  each  other's  mind, 
and  thereby  made  it  more  difficult  to  arrive  at  a  mutual 
understanding  at  a  later  day,  when  the  question  came  up 
again  between  them. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


IN  PERIL  OF  THE  PLAGUE. 


n"^HEN  Fergus  told  of  his  disappointment  to  Mr. 
T  V  Olden,  the  wise,  faithful  man  of  God  took  care  to 
say  nothing  that  would  give  the  impression  of  his  siding 
with  the  son  as  against  the  father. 

*'  Let  it  be  as  your  father  says,  Fergus,"  were  his  words. 
"  He  wants  you  to  get  a  good  start  in  the  Company,  and 
he's  quite  right  in  saying  that,  with  this  in  view,  your 
mornings  will  be  far  better  spent  in  Mr.  Barnston's  office 
than  in  my  school.  Although  I  need  hardly  say  how 
glad  I'd  be  to  have  you  with  me,  and  how  much  help 
you  could  give  me." 

"But,  Mr.  Olden,  I  don't  want  to  be  a  clerk  in  the 
Company.  It's  a  clerk  with  you  I'm  wanting  to  be,  and 
I  do  wish  my  father  wad  na  say  me  nay,"  protested 
Fergus. 

"Fergus  dear,"  replied  the  missionary,  laying  his 
hand  lovingly  upon  the  boy's  shoulder,  and  looking  into 
his  earnest  eyes,  **  your  father  must  be  sole  judge  in  the 
matter.  You  know  how  dearly  he  loves  you,  and  how 
he  wants  to  do  only  what  he  thinks  best  for  you.  If  it 
be  the  will  of  G(id  that  you  should  spend  your  life  in  his 
service,  he  will  open  up  tlie  way  in  good  time.  Be  obe- 
dient, Fergus,  and  be  patient.  1  warmly  sympathize 
with  you  in  your  longing  to  work  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord.     It  is  the  grandest  work  a  man  can  do,  and  I  would 

U  ao5 


306 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISII. 


W' 


rather  see  you  there  than  governor  of  the  Hudson's  15ay 
Company.  But  your  father  wishes  it  to  be  otlKiwise, 
Fergus,  and  his  will  is  law  for  you.  Just  do  as  he  bids, 
and  leave  the  rest  to  God.  He  knows  the  end  fruin  the 
beginning,  and  he  will  give  you  the  desire  of  your  heart 
in  good  time,  if  he  sees  it  to  be  best." 

Much  soothed  and  comforted  by  the  missionary's 
counsel,  Fergus  took  his  place  at  a  desk  in  the  offi(  c,  and 
applied  himself  diligently  to  learning  how  the  ac(  ounts 
of  the  Company  were  kept.  He  soon  became  ver)-  much 
interested  in  his  work.  It  had  many  attractions  for  his 
active,  inquiring  mind ;  and  when  from  time  to  time  his 
father  inquired  as  to  the  progress  he  was  making,  Mr. 
Barns  ton  always  had  entirely  satisfactory  reports  to  make. 

^^r.  MacTavish  very  wisely  asked  no  work  of  him 
dur.ng  the  afternoon,  and  he  was  free  to  enjoy  himsehas 
he  pleased.  He  found  no  difficulty  in  putting  in  the 
time.  If  the  day  was  fine,  and  not  too  cold,  he  would 
harness  up  his  dogs  and  take  Ruth  out  for  a  ride  in  his 
cariole,  burying  her  in  furs  until  there  was  nothing  vis- 
ible but  a  very  pink  nose  and  a  very  bright  pair  of  eyes, 
while  he  ran  alongside,  or  stood  on  behiiid,  according; 
as  the  going  might  be  bad  or  good.  If  Jack  Frost  w:is 
biting  too  sharply  to  make  it  pleasant  for  Ruth  to  be  out, 
he  would  put  a  hatchet  and  hunting-knife  in  his  belt, 
strap  on  his  snow-shoes,  and  accompany  Papanakes  as 
he  went  the  round  of  the  traps  he  was  always  setting  out 
to  catcii  the  fur-bearing  animals  that  abounded  in  the 
neighborhood. 

The  old  huMter  and  he  were  firmer  friends  than  ever. 
The  Indian  look  a  very  keen  pride  in  his  pupil.   It  would 


i 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


307 


Hudson's  Bay 
)  be  otherwise, 
io  as  he  hids, 
i  end  from  the 

of  your  heart 

2   missionary's 

the  offi(  e,  and 

the  accounts 

ime  very  much 

iciions  for  Ids 

me  to  time  his 

s  making,  Mr. 

ports  to  make. 

work  of  him 

ijoy  himself  as 

Hitting   in   die 

old,  he  would 

a  ride  in  liis 

>  nothing  vis- 

jjair  of  eyes, 

lid,  according 

ick  Frost  was 

uth  to  be  out, 

e  in  his  l)elt, 

Papanakes  as 

ys  setting  out 

)unded  in  the 

uls  than  ever. 
iil)il.   It  would 


be  a  long  time  before  the  echoes  of  that  wonderful  shot 
which  saved  Sir  George  would  die  away,  and  in  his 
heart  Papanakes  claimed  some  of  the  credit  of  the  feat. 
Fur  he  more  than  any  one  else  had  taught  Fergus  how  to 
handle  a  rifle. 

There  was  a  newer  and  deep*^r  bond,  however,  which 
now  united  the  old  Indian  and  the  young  Scotch  lad. 
While  Fergus  was  away  with  Sir  George  the  si)irit  of 
God  had  found  a  way  into  Papanakes'  heart,  and  he 
had  been  soundly  converted.  All  his  degrading  super- 
stitions, and  pagan  notions  were  gone  from  him,  and  he 
rejoiced  in  the  light  and  liberty  of  a  child  of  God.  It 
had  made  ->  great  difference  in  the  old  man.  The  rest- 
less scowl,  worn  for  so  many  years,  had  vanished  from 
his  face,  and  had  been  replaced  by  a  look  of  good 
humor  and  peace.  His  habitual  ta(  iturnity  also  hat,  in 
large  part  left  him.  His  heart  was  full  of  the  love-  of 
(k)d,  and  he  was  always  ready  to  tell  the  story  of  his 
conversion  in  a  simple  y  '.  eloquent  way  that  was  more 
d'fectual  than  he  knew.  Mr.  Olden  indeed  found  him  a 
decided  help  in  his  work.  He  was  a  bright  example  of 
the  blessed  resuUs  of  the  gospel  the  mi.ssionary  had 
traveled  nearly  two  thousand  miles  to  preach,  and  at  the 
services  in  the  little  church  on  the  island  many  a  dusky- 
taced  hearer,  turning  from  the  preachfT  to  look  at  Papa- 
nakes, whose  eager,  attentive  eyes  said  **amen  "  to  each 
sentence  in  the  sermon,  and  remembering  what  a  sullen, 
ill-tempered,  revengeful  man  he  had  been  before  the 
Master  had  changed  his  heart,  was  the  more  leady  to  le- 

Ver's  earnc 


spc 


app 


Papanakes  had   lost  no  time  in  telling  I'Vrgus  of  his 


308 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


conversion,  and  the  unaffected  joy  shown  by  his  youngi 
friend  at  the  news  made  him  love  him  more  than  ever.! 
They  were  brothers  now,  though  they  were  of  differenl 
race,  and  there  was  not  a  drop  of  blood  in  the  Indian's 
veins  that  he  would  not  gladly  shed  to  save  Fergus  fron 
harm. 

Of  this  he  gave  convincing  proof  one  afternoon  when! 
they  were  out  together  on  the  round  of  the  traps.  A.I 
wolveri  h"'^  been  giving  them  a  great  deal  of  trouble 
by  steali  ;  the  bait  after  the  traps  had  been  set,  and  even 
"  making  raggles  "  of  the  minks  and  martens  that  might 
happen  to  be  caught  in  them.  Now  the  wolverine  is  the 
most  difficult  of  all  creatures  to  trap.  It  possesses  almost  I 
supernatural  sagacity,  and  seems  to  take  a  malicious 
delight  in  proving  its  superiority  to  all  the  wiles  of  the 
hunter. 

But  Papanakes  determined  to  leave  no  means  untried 
to  capture  the  rascal  that  was  causing  him  so  much 
trouble,  and  as  fast  as  one  snare  failed  he  invented 
r.nouier.  Finally  success  seemed  to  have  crowned  his 
efforts,  for  on  coming  to  the  trap  which  he  had  espe- 
cially prepared  for  his  tormentor  it  had  disappeared 
altogether. 

''Ah  1  "  exclaimed  the  old  Indian,  delightedly,  digging 
in  the  snow  to  make  sure  that  the  trap  was  gone  from 
its  place.  "We  got  him  sure.  Him  no  go  far.  We 
find  him  soon." 

It  was  not  so  easy  a  matter  to  find  the  wolverine  after 
all,  for  there  had  been  a  fall  of  snow  since  he  had  gotten 
away  with  the  traj),  so  that  his  track  was  completely 
obliterated.     But  this  did  not  dismay  Papanakes.     As- 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVlSH. 


309 


afternoon  when 
f  the  traps.     \\ 
deal  of  trouble 
2n  set,  and  even 
•tens  that  mii/ht 

I 

wolverine  is  the! 
possesses  almost  I 
ke  a  malicious  I 
the  wiles  of  the 

means  untried 

him   so  much 

d   he   invented 

e  crowned  his 

he  had  espc-  | 
id   disappeared  |. 


'K 


Uedly,  digi;in< 
vas  gone  from 
)  go  Hir.     We  I 

volverine  afier   ' 
he  had  gotten 
as  completely 
panakes.     As- 


tonishing as  the  animal's  strength  might  be,  he  could  not 
go  very  far  with  one  of  his  legs  in  a  heavy  iron  trap. 

''You  go  that  way.  Me  go  this,"  said  the  Indian. 
"When  you  find  him,  you  shout.    Me  come  to  you." 

*' All  right,  Papanakes.  If  I  see  anything  of  him  I'll 
shout,  you  may  be  sure."  And  holding  his  rifle  in  readi- 
ness to  fire  at  the  first  warning,  he  went  off  in  the  direc- 
tion Papanakes  had  indicated. 

The  underbrush  was  pretty  thick  round  about,  and 
every  yard  of  the  way  required  to  be  carefully  scruti- 
nized, so  that  it  was  slow  work,  and  the  two  searchers  did 
not  get  any  great  distance  apart.  Presently  Fergus  came 
to  a  dense  clump  that  seemed  to  him  just  the  place  in 

I  vhich  the  object  of  their  hunt   might  be  hiding.     He 

?  wont  carefiiUy  around  it,  and  sure  enough,  to  his  great 
delight,  he   discerned    some   marks   in    the   snow  that 
looked  very  like  those  which  the  trap   being  dragged 
along  would  make. 
Now  undoubtedly  his  proper  course  would  have  been 

.  to  shout  for  Papanakes  at  once.  But  he  did  not  do  so, 
and  for  two  reasons.  In  the  first  place  he  was  afraid  of 
starting  up  the  wolverine  to  fresh  exertions  in  retreat, 
and,  in  the  second,  the  temptatit)n  lo  deal  with  the  ani- 
mal single  handed  came  over  him,  and  he  did  not  re- 
sist it. 

With  his  finger  upon  the  triirger  of  his  rifle  he  pushed 
aside  the  thick  pine  boughs,  and  i)eered  eagerly  into  the 
dark  shadow  they  made. 

Suddenly  there  came  a  fierce  growl  from  the  dusky 
re(  ess,  and  like  a  flash  a  great  gray  body  sprang  at  him 

:  with  gleaming  eyes  and  snapping  teeth. 


310 


FEIIGUS   MAC   TAVI8II. 


Taken  completely  by  surprise,  for  he  expected  to  find 
a  slow,  heavy  wolverine  not  a  quick,  active  wolf,  Fergus, 
without  bringing  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  pulled  the  trig- 
ger,  and  at  the  same  moment  shouted  for  Papanakes  at 
the  top  of  his  voice. 

The  report  of  the  gun  followed  immediately  by  the 
sharp  cry  for  help  rang  out  upon  the  clear  winter  air  and 
startled  the  old  Indian,  who  was  intent  upon  following 
up  what  he  thought  was  a  promising  trail.  With  a  signifi- 
cant grunt  he  wheeled  about,  r.nd  dashed  at  the  top  of 
his  speed  to  Fergus*  aid. 

He  arrived  not  an  instant  too  soon.  The  trap  had 
caught  a  huge  timber  wolf  instead  of  the  wolverine  for 
which  it  was  intended,  and  this  plucky  biute,  one  of 
whose  forepaws  had  been  caught  in  it,  after  enduring 
the  agony  fo/  some  hours,  had  deliberately  gnawed  his 
paw  off  just  above  where  the  merciless  steel  jaws  cut  into 
the  bone,  thus  gaining  his  freedom  at  the  cost  of  a  foot. 
He  was  resting  after  this  desperate  piece  of  surgery  in 
the  thick  of  the  pine  covert  when  Fergus  disturbed  him, 
and  undaunted  by  his  sufferings  he  had  instantly  hurled 
himself  upon  the  daring  intruder. 

So  sudden  was  his  onset  that  Fergus  had  no  chance  to 
aim  his  rifle,  so  that  the  bullet  merely  grazed  the  wolfs 
shoulder,  doing  the  creature  no  harm,  and  imbeddin.i,^ 
itself  in  a  tree  trunk  near  by.  Before  the  boy  could  club 
his  gun  the  brute  was  upon  him,  knocking  it  out  of  his 
hands,  and  tumbling  himself  backward  upon  the  snow. 

The  snow  was  not  very  deep  under  the  trees,  but  Fer- 
gus was  encumbered  by  his  snow-shoes,  and  could  not 
regain  his  feet.     Springing  upon  his  chest  the  wolf  made 


FERGUS  'MAC   TAVISH. 


311 


r 

-diately  by  the 
winter  air  and 
Jpon  following 
Withasignifi- 
at  the  top  of 

The  trap  bad 
wolverine  for 
brute,  one  of 
ifter  enduring 
ly  gnawed  his 
1  jaws  cut  into 
::ost  of  a  foot. 
'  of  surgery  in 
listurbed  him, 
stantly  hurled 

no  chance  to 
:ed  the  wolfs 
d  imbedding 
oy  could  club 

it  out  of  his 
>n  the  snow. 
■<-'es,  but  Fcr- 
(J  could  not 
le  wolf  made 


a  snap  at  his  face,  but  he  warded  it  off  by  smiting  the 
gaping  mouth  a  sharp  blow  with  his  clenched  fist,  causing 
the  infuriated  brute  to  dodge  back  for  an  instant. 

But  it  was  only  for  an  instant.  Widi  a  hideous  snarl 
he  repeated  his  attack,  and  just  at  that  moment  Papan- 
akes  came  up.  His  gun  was  loaded,  but  he  dare  not  fire 
lest  in  his  haste  he  might  injure  Fergus.  For  the  same 
reason  he  did  not  try  to  club  the  wolf.  Ther.  was  a 
better  way  still  he  thought.  Uttering  a  whoop  that  rang 
through  the  forest  like  the  report  of  a  gun  he  dropped 
his  rifle,  and,  throwing  himself  upon  the  animal,  tore 
him  away  from  Fergus.  Then  gripping  his  throat  with 
his  sinewy  fingers,  he  set  himself  to  the  task  of  throttling 
the  wolf  to  death. 

It  was  a  tremendous  struggle.  The  wolf  fought  madly 
for  his  life.  He  could  do  nothing  with  his  teeth.  The 
Indian  had  his  head  in  his  own  grasp.  But  his  paws  were 
free,  and  with  them  he  tore  fiercely  at  his  antagonist, 
ripping  the  strong  buckskin  garments  as  though  they  had 
been  paper.  Well  was  it  for  Papanakes  that  the  creature 
had  only  one  forepaw  available  or  he  might  have  been 
sorely  scratched  by  the  keen  claws. 

In  the  meantime  Fergus  had  i)icked  himself  up,  and 
was  dancing  around  the  struggling  pair,  hunting-knife  in 
band,  watching  for  a  chance  to  bury  it  in  the  wolfs 
body.  But  before  the  opi)ortunity  presented  itself,  the 
brute's  struggles  became  manifestly  weaker.  That  mer- 
ciless grip  was  closing  his  wiiuli)ii)e  ;  a  few  moments  more 
and  it  was  all  over  with  him.  The  Indian  had  con- 
{[uercd.  With  a  grunt  of  proud  satisfaction  the  old 
man   loosened  his   hold,  rose   to  his  feet,   and  then  to 


312 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


make  assurance  doubly  sure,  drew  his  knife,  and  cut  the 
wolt  s  throat. 

"Him  berry  big  wolf,"  said  he,  complacently, 
regarding  the  great  gray  body.  *'  Me  find  trap  now." 
And  off  he  went  in  search  of  the  trap  as  though  the  kill- 
ing of  a  timber  wolf  in  a  hand-to  hand  struggle  were 
quite  an  every  day  occurrence  with  him.  Fergus  could 
not  help  a  smile  at  the  veteran's  nonchalance. 

''  Dear  old  Papanakcs,"  said  he  to  himself.  '*  It  wad 
take  a  great  deal  to  mak  him  lose  his  head." 

In  a  few  minutes  a  shout  of  joy  from  the  Indian 
announced  that  the  trap  had  been  found,  and  presently 
he  appeared,  dragging  it  after  him  by  the  chain.  It  was 
quite  uninjured,  and  still  clasped  in  its  steel  jaws  the 
wolfs  foot  frozen  hard. 

**  Please  open  the  trap  for  me,  Papanakes,"  said 
Fergus.     "  I  want  that  foot  for  a  keepsake." 

Papanakes  pried  open  the  pitiless  teeth,  and  made 
them  give  up  their  prize  which  Fergus  picked  up  and 
put  into  his  pocket,  saying  : 

'*  You'll  prepare  this  for  me  so  that  it  will  keep  when 
we  get  back  to  the  fort,  eh,  Papanakes?  " 

The  old  hunter  smiled  his  assent,  and  then  proceeded 
to  remove  the  skin  from  the  wolf  while  Fergus  watched 
him  to  see  how  it  was  done.  Papanakes  was  very  expert 
at  the  Dusiness,  and  did  not  take  many  minutes  stripping 
the  ugly  creature  of  his  reddish  gray  pelt,  being  careful 
no.  to  detach  the  head,  so  that  a  f  riking  trophy  might 
be  made  out  of  it. 

"  Dis  yours,  now,  Fergus,"  said  he  when  his  task  was 
completed.     **  Me  cure  it  so  it  will  keep  good  all  time." 


At 

foi 

larl 

CGI 

pi( 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


313 


',  and  cut  the 

:omplacently, 
I  trap  now." 
)ugh  the  kill- 
itruggle  were 
Fergus  could 
•e. 

If.     **Itwad 

the  Indiau 
nd  presently 
lain.  It  was 
:eel  jaws  the 

lakes,"   said 

,   and  made 
ked  up  and 

i  keep  when 

1  proceeded 
us  watched 
very  expert 
es  stripj)ing 
iing  careful 
:)phy  might 

lis  task  was 
i  all  time." 


And  rolling  it  up  into  a  bundle  he  threw  it  on  his  back 
for  transportation  to  the  fort. 

On  their  return  the  wolf  skin  was  pronounced  the 
largest  ever  brought  to  Norway  House,  whereat,  of 
course,  both  Fergus  and  Papanakes  felt  very  much 
pleased,  and  the  whole  incident  served  to  make  them 
faster  friends  than  ever. 

Thus  in  varied  employment  and  engagement  the  winter 
passed  swiftly,  Fergus  growing  more  and  more  content 
to  follow  his  father's  will  until  it  seemed  as  if  he  had 
come  to  regard  it  as  the  Divine  will  and  to  resign  all 
thought  of  a  missionary  career. 

It  was  one  of  the  most  peaceful  and  prosperous  winters 
in  the  history  of  the  post.  Not  the  slightest  dispute  of 
any  kind  had  arisen  between  the  officials  and  the  Indians 
in  their  dealings.  A  larger  quantity  than  usual  of  fine 
furs  had  been  brought  in.  The  profit  and  loss  account 
would  show  an  eminently  satisfactory  balance  on  the  right 
side  when  the  governor  made  his  annual  inspection. 
Altogether,  the  present  aspect  of  affairs  was  most  gratify- 
ing, and  the  future  prospect  most  pleasing,  when  suddenly 
the  dark  shadow  of  a  great  peril  fell  upon  Norway 
House,  and  blotted  out  the  sunshine  for  many  harrowing 
days. 

Among  the  bands  that  came  with  furs  to  exchange  for 
goods  and  ammunition  was  one  from  the  far  western  edge 
of  the  district  that  depended  upon  this  post.  They  were 
Crees,  but  of  a  poor  class,  and  held  much  in  contempt 
by  the  other  bands.  For  that  very  reason,  perhaps,  Mr. 
MacTavish  was  inclined  to  show  them  a  little  extra  kind- 
ness, and  on  this  occasion  allowed  them  to  pitch  their 


314 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


tents  close  under  the  lee  of  the  fort,  and  to  have  some- 
what more  freedom  inside.  Little  did  he  imaijine  how 
his  tenderness  of  heart  was  to  be  rewarded. 

They  had  been  in  camp  about  a  week,  had  bartered 
all  their  furs  for  goods,  begged  until  everybody's  patience 
was  exhausted,  and  were  about  to  take  their  departure, 
when  for  the  first  time  they  made  known  the  fact  that 
in  their  tepees  were  several  sick  for  whom  they  would 
like  some  of  their  white  brother's  medicine. 

This  came  to  Fergus'  ears,  and  moved  by  sympathy 
for  the  sufferers,  he  posted  off  to  get  Mr.  Olden  who  had 
a  well-equipped  medicine  chest,  the  contents  of  which 
he  understood  very  well  how  to  use. 

Mr.  Olden  promptly  responded  to  the  call,  and  putting 
several  remedies  in  his  pocket  returned  with  Fergus  to 
the  Cree  encampment.  The  old  chief  seemed  very  glad 
to  see  them,  and  '  ?d  them  at  once  to  a  squalid  tepee, 
saying  as  he  went : 

"  Her  berry  sick.  Medicine  man  no  good.  Medicine 
man  sick  too.  What  good  being  medicine  man  if  get 
sick  too  ?  ' '  and  he  shook  his  grizzled  head  as  though  to 
imply  that  his  faith  in  Indian  medicine  men  was  a  thing 
of  the  past,  and  that  he  was  quite  ready  to  let  the  white 
medicine  man  try  his  skill. 

The  tent  was  so  dark  and  full  of  smoke  that  neither 
the  missionary  nor  Fergus,  when  they  entered,  co:ikl 
make  out  much  more  than  that  at  the  farther  side  some- 
body lay  stretched  out  upon  a  bed  of  buffalo  robes,  and 
turned  a  pair  of  pleading,  pathetic  eyes  toward  them. 

"Stay  by  the  door  a  moment,  Fergus,"  said  Mr. 
Olden,  '*  until  I  see  what  is  the  matter." 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


315 


Advancing  to  the  sufferer's  side  he  knelt  down  by  the 
rude  couch,  while  the  chief  threw  a  handful  of  dry  bark 
upon  the  fire  which  then  blazed  up  brightly  making  the 
sick  person's  countenance  distinctly  visible  for  the  first 
time.  It  was  that  of  a  girl  of  about  eighteen  years  of 
age,  and  when  the  missionary  looked  upon  it  he  gave  a 
start  and  involuntarily  shrank  back  as  tho.igh  he  dreaded 
being  too  near.  Rising  to  his  feet,  he  turned  toward 
Fergus,  and  said  in  a  quiet,  yet  commanding  tone  : 

''Don't  remain  here  another  moment,  Fergus.  Go 
right  outside  the  encampment,  and  wait  for  me.  I  will 
joiu  you  in  a  few  minutes." 

Fergus,  though  much  startled  and  surprised,  obeyed  at 
once,  and  at  the  farther  edge  of  the  cluster  of  tepees 
awaited  the  explanation  of  Mr.  Olden's  strange  conduct. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  missionary  appeared.  But 
instead  of  coming  right  up  to  Fergus,  he  halted  when 
still  some  yards  away,  and  said  : 

''Don't  come  any  nearer,  Fergus.  Stand  there,  and 
I'll  tell  you  what  I  mean.  That  poor  girl  is  dying  with 
the  smallpox  I  God  only  knows  whether  or  not  you  and 
I  have  caught  the  dreadful  disease  already.  I  earnestly 
pray  that  we  have  not.  But  we  must  be  extremely  care- 
ful. If  it  gets  into  the  post,  who  knows  what  the  conse- 
quences will  be?  God  grant  ti  at  you  have  escaped  the 
contagion.  I  was  longer  in  the  tent  than  you,  so  it 
would  be  best  for  you  not  to  come  near  me.  Go  on  ahead 
of  me  to  the  gate.  We  must  ^^ive  warning  of  the  danger, 
and  see  what  is  to  be  done." 

Feeling  very  strangely  at  Mr.  Olden's  ominous  words, 
Fergus  went  on  to  the  gate,  and  as  it  happened,  his  father 


316 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


was  just  coming  out.  Before  they  got  near  one  another, 
Mr.  Olden  called  to  him  to  stop,  and  then  told  him  what 
had  just  occurred. 

The  chief  trader  at  first  was  in  a  passion  of  indignant 
wrath.  The  artful  concealment  by  the  Indians  of  their 
having  the  awful  plague  in  their  midst  seemed  to  him,  as 
indeed  it  was,  the  blackest  ingratitude.  He  had  treated 
them  with  unusual  kindness,  and  in  view  of  their  mani- 
fest poverty,  had  added  some  substantial  gifts  to  what 
they  were  entitled  to  in  the  way  of  barter. 

For  the  moment  he  completely  lost  his  self-control, 
and  a  habit  of  his  youth  that  had  been  under  strict  re- 
straint ever  since  Fergus  came  to  him  broke  forth  for 
the  first  time.  To  the  amazement  of  his  listeners,  a 
volley  of  curses  was  poured  upon  the  Indians.  Fergus 
was  horrified.  He  had  never  before  heard  an  oath  issue 
from  his  father's  lips,  and  a  strange  chill  went  to  his 
heart,  while  a  look  came  into  his  face  that  was  not  lost 
upon  the  man  whose  righteous  wrath  had  led  him  into 
error. 

But  the  missionary  could  better  appreciate  the  situa- 
tion. It  was  not  so  much  a  time  for  reproof,  as  for  wise, 
sympathetic  counsel. 

''You  are  right  to  be  angered,  Mr.  McTavish,"  said 
he,  gently.  *'  The  Indians  have  behaved  very  badly,  and 
only  God  can  tell  where  the  mischief  may  end.  But  it 
is  prayers,  not  curses,  that  are  needed  now,  dear  friend, 
and  the  best  advice  that  your  clear  brain  can  give.  Let 
us  kneel  right  here,  and  together  entreat  the  guidance 
of  our  loving  Father  in  this  great  emergency." 

Brought  back  to  himself  by  these  wise  words,  instinct 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


317 


with  serene  faith  in  omnipotent  love,  the  chief  trader  re- 
covered from  the  fury  which  had  possessed  him,  and  with 
the  tears  springing  to  his  eyes,  sank  upon  his  knees  in  the 
snow,  while  the  missionary  lifted  up  his  voico  in  earnest 
petition  for  the  help  and  direction  of  God. 

It  was  a  strange  scene,  as  the  three  knelt  apart  before 
the  gate,  with  the  glory  of  the  westering  sun  falling  full 
upon  their  faces  upturned  to  the  heavens.  Into  the  heart 
of  the  wilderness  had  come  such  a  faith  in  the  verity  of 
the  loving-kindness  and  tender  mercy  of  the  Lord,  that 
the  snow-covered  plain  was  changed  into  the  ante-room 
of  the  Almighty. 

When  Mr.  Olden  cec  ied,  and  they  rose  from  their 
knees,  the  face  of  the  chief  trader  was  completely  trans- 
formed. All  signs  of  anger  had  left  it,  and  had  been 
replaced  by  a  look  of  quiet  self-control,  of  grave  serenity. 
He  and  his  were  committed  to  the  Creator's  care.  He 
could  say,  with  assuring  confidence  :  *'  The  eternal  God 
is  my  refuge,  and  underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms." 

Still  keeping  a  goodly  distance  apart,  the  two  men 
held  counsel  together  as  to  what  was  the  best  course  of 
action  to  pursue  ;  and  after  various  plans  had  been  dis- 
cussed, it  was  decided  that  Fergus  should  go  home  with 
his  father,  and  be  isolated  in  his  own  room  until  it  could 
be  known  whether  or  not  the  contagion  had  affected  him, 
and  that  Mr.  Olden  should  not  go  home,  but  take  up  his 
quarters  in  the  little  church,  where  all  necessary  comforts 
could  be  provided  for  him  from  his  own  house,  and  he 
could  remain  until  his  case  declar  :;d  itself. 

This  plan  was  carried  out  just  as  arranged.  The  father 
and  son  went  home,  to  break  the  news  as  gently  as  pos- 


318 


FERGUS   MAC   TA.VISH. 


sible  to  the  mother,  who,  after  the  first  shock  had  passed, 
hid  beneath  a  composed,  hopeful  face,  her  anxious  heart. 
Fergus  entered  upon  his  imprisonment  in  his  own  room, 
the  end  of  which  no  human  eye  could  foresee,  and  the 
chief  trader  then  hastened  to  have  the  needful  precau- 
tions taken  for  the  protection  of  the  resiaents  at  the 
post. 

The  Indians  were  ordered  off  to  the  woods,  every  room 
which  they  had  entered  was  thoroughly  fumigated,  tb.c 
furs  they  had  brought  were  immediately  burned,  and 
minute  directions  given  as  to  what  should  be  Jone  in  the 
event  of  any  sign  of  the  smallpox  manifesting  itself 
among  the  employees.  Mr.  MacTavish  placed  Mr. 
Barnston  in  as  full  charge  of  the  post  as  if  he  himself 
were  absent  from  it,  and  then  shut  himself  up  in  his 
house,  with  his  wife  and  son,  to  abide  the  issue  of  events. 

No  sooner  did  Papanakcs  hear  of  what  had  happened, 
and  of  what  the  missionary  had  decided  to  do,  than  the 
noblest  instincts  of  his  nature  displayed  themselves  as 
they  had  never  done  before.  Well  did  he  know  the 
dreadful  disease  which  now  threatened  Norway  House. 
Twenty  years  ago  it  had  decimated  his  own  tribe,  h-aving 
him  the  only  survivor  of  his  own  family.  But  this  har- 
rowing experience  did  not  daunt  him  now.  The  beloved 
missionary  must  h^.ve  some  one  to  wait  upon  him — to  be 
his  messenger,  and  maybe  his  nurse.  Why  should  Mrs. 
Olden  hazard  her  life  when  he,  Papanakes,  was  ready  to 
fill  the  place  ? 

With  eager  feet,  he  hastened  t)ff  to  the  island,  dragi;ing 
behind  him  a  toboggan  laden  with  all  his  possessions, — 
his  blankets,  his  robes,  his  rifle,  his  luinting  knife  and 


FERGUS  MAC   TAVISH. 


319 


hatchet— just  as  though  he  were  changing  camp.  And 
so  he  was.  For  he  was  determined  to  stay  by  Mr  Old- 
en's  side  until  the  peril  should  be  past. 

The  tears  of  gratitude  filled  Mr.  Olden's  eyes  when 
the  Indian  appeared,  and  in  his  own  succinct,  positive 
way,  stated  the  p'lrpose  of  his  coming. 

'*  Me  stay  with  missionary.  Me  not  afraid  of  small- 
I)Ox.  Smallpox  no  touch  me."  And  there  was  a  glint 
of  pride  in  his  eye  at  the  recollection  of  his  j^assing  un- 
scathed through  that  awful  visitation  of  twenty  years  ago. 

"God  bless  you,  Papanakes  !  "  cried  Mr.  Olden,  tak- 
ing the  old  man's  hand  between  both  of  his  and  pressing 
it  warmly.  "  How  glad  I  am  you've  come  to  me  !  I 
could  not  wish  a  more  faithful  attendant,  and  my  dear 
wife  will  be  content  now  not  to  expose  herself  and  dar- 
ling Ruth.    Truly  the  Lord  is  already  answering  prayer." 

Papanakes'  dusky  face  gleamed  with  happiness  thrv.iigh 
all  its  wrinkles.  He  had  anticipated  some  opposition, 
and  this  prom[)t  and  cordial  acceptance  of  his  offer  was 
a  delightful  surprise.  In  it  his  shrewd  sense  recognized 
a  loving  trust  on  the  part  of  the  man  whom  he  regarded 
as  the  best  of  all  men  tliat  was  wonderfully  sweet  to  his 
soul.  It  seemed  like  a  foretaste  of  that  after  life  revealed 
to  him  by  the  missionary  in  whi(  h  there  would  be  no 
distinction  of  race  or  color,  but  all  would  stand  alike  in 
the  presence  of  him  who  was  no  risi)ecter  of  persons. 

Mrs.  Olden  at  first  found  it  hard  to  consent  to  yielding 
her  place  to  Papanakes.  Who  indeed  could  blnnu'  her  for 
such  a  feeling?  But,  as  her  husband  put  it  to  her, 
speaking  from  an  open  window  in  the  church,  why  should 
their  only  child  be  exposed  to  the  danger  of  the  contagion 


320 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISFT. 


as  must  be  the  case  unless,  indeed,  Pai)anakes  were  i)ut 
in  charge  of  her  while  Mrs.  Olden  went  into  quarantine 
with  her  husband.  This,  of  course,  was  out  of  tlv.; 
question.  Mrs.  Olden  could  not  help  a  smile  at  the  verv 
idea  of  it.  So,  rehictantly,  and  yet  fully  convinc  ed  that 
it  was  the  best  thing  to  be  done,  she  fell  in  with  the 
arrangement,  and,  like  Mrs.  MacTavish,  concealing  her 
keen  apprehensions  behind  a  calm  exterior,  sought  to 
make  poor  little  Ruth  understand  the  situation  without 
being  terrified  by  it. 

How  full  of  anxiety  were  the  days  that  followed,  and 
alas !  how  surely  were  the  worst  fears  in  both  homes 
realized  !  Neither  Mr.  Olden  nor  Fergus  was  to  escape 
the  noisome  pestilence.  On  the  ninth  day  after  the  visit 
to  the  plague-smitten  encampment  Fergus'  skin  grew 
hot  and  dry,  and  his  pulse  ominously  quickened.  All 
desire  for  food  left  him,  and  racking  pains  attacked  him 
in  the  head  and  back. 

He  faced  his  fate  with  unflinching  fortitude,  for  there 
was  strength  given  him  from  on  high.  Among  other 
things  Mr.  Olden  had  found  time  to  say  to  him  was 
this  : 

"If  it  please  God  that  the  disease  should  fasten  upon 
you,  Fergus  dear,  commit  your  whole  case  to  him,  and 
do  not  permit  yourself  to  worry  as  to  the  result.  Be  not 
afraid  for  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darknes:  ,  nor  for 
the  destruction  that  wasteth  at  noon-day.  My  finn  con- 
viction is  that  (Jod  has  a  work  for  you  to  do,  and  that 
your  time  is  still  afar  off.  Think  only  of  recovery. 
Strengthen  your  heart  in  the  Lord  from  hour  to  hour, 
and  he  will  surely  perfect  that  which  concerneth  you." 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


321 


Fergus  believed  all  this  devoutly,  and  his  steadfast 
composure  was  a  wonderful  comfort  to  both  his  father 
and  mother.  They  deemed  it  a  good  augury,  and  it 
strengthened  their  hearts. 

On  the  third  day  of  his  illness  the  dreaded  spots  of 
red  appeared  on  his  face  and  hands,  and  in  his  bright 
boyish  way  he  sought  to  make  light  of  them. 

*'I.ook,  mother!"  said  he,  holding  up  his  hand  all 
dotted  over  with  points  of  crimson,  ''I'm  spotted  just 
like  a  leopard.    I  fear  it's  small  gain  to  my  good  looks." 

Mrs.  MacTavish  found  it  very  hard  to  keep  back  the 
tears,  but  under  pretence  of  arranging  the  window  curtain 
she  gained  time  to  recover  her  self-control,  and  to  answer 
ill  the  same  cheerful  tone  : 

**You  must  not  look  in  the  mirror,  Fergus  darling, 
until  the  spots  are  all  gone,  or  you  might  be  frightened 
at  yourself." 

*'0h,  mother,  is  it  sae  bad  as  that  ?"  responded 
Fergus.  "  I'm  verra  glad  Ruthie  canna  see  me.  I  wad 
na  like  to  frighten  her.  But,"  he  asked  with  a  sudden 
change  from  jocularity  to  sincere  concern,  "how  is 
Mr.  Olden  to-day?  Have  you  had  word  from  the 
island  ?  ' ' 

Mrs.  MacTavish  would  have  been  glad  to  evade  this 
(question,  but  her  son's  eyes  were  eagerly  watching  her 
face,  and  she  felt  bound  to  answer  him  frankly. 

*'  He's  not  at  all  \\^11,  Fergus.  Nae  doot  the  small- 
pox has  taken  him  too.  But  God  will  take  care  of  him, 
as  he  is  taking  care  of  you,  dearie." 

'*l)ear  old  Papanakcs !  "  exclaimed  F'ergus,  who  had 
been  told  of  the  Indian's  devotion.     *•  How  glad  he 

V 


322 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


1^ 


must  be  that  he  can  help  Mr.  Olden  !  He  loves  him  so. 
I  trily  believe  he  thinks  him  the  best  man  in  all  the 
world." 

*'He  is  one  of  the  best  indeed,  Fergus,"  said  Mrs. 
MacTavish,  adding  with  a  sigh  that  would  not  be  sup- 
pressed,  "I'm  fairly  wearying  to  see  him.  He  always 
does  me  good.  How  glad  am  I  that  e'er  he  came  to 
Norway  House  !  ' ' 

"And  I'm  sae  glad  too,  mother,"  said  Fergus,  giving 
her  a  grateful  look,  for  he  loved  to  hear  the  missionary 
praised.  "  Oh  !  mother,  mother  !  "  he  broke  forth  after 
a  brief  silence  during  which  he  had  been  thinking 
deeply,  "  canna  I  be  a  missionary  too  ?  I  dinna  want  to 
go  into  the  Company." 

For  some  time  Mrs.  MacTavish  made  no  reply,  but 
continued  to  look  into  her  son's  face  while  her  own 
countenance  showed  that  a  great  struggle  was  goi.ig  on 
within.  The  truth  was  that  she  had  always  ftlt  more 
sympathy  with  his  desire  to  be  a  missionary  than  her 
husband  had.  She  was  of  a  much  more  religious  nature. 
Mere  worldly  success  had  not  the  same  importance  in 
her  eyes  that  it  had  in  his,  and  in  response  to  Fergus' 
sudden  appeal  so  far  as  her  own  feelings  went  she  was 
quite  ready  to  say: 

"Ay,  Fergus,  ye  can,  if  the  good  God  spares  you  to 


us. 


M 


But  she  was  an  intensely  loyal  wife.  Her  husband's 
will  was  her  law.  Never  had  he  required  of  her  aught 
that  conflicted  with  her  conscience,  and  she  gave  liim 
unswerving  obedience.  In  this  matter  there  was  no 
doubt  about  his  will.     He  had  already  marked  out  his 


U 


^nn** 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


323 


)  t 


spares  you  to 


son's  future,  and  he  regarded  the  "  missionary  notion, 
as  he  called  it,  as  simply  a  romantic  idea  of  boyhood. 
It  would  not  therefore  be  right  for  her  to  say  anything 
that  would  seem  like  a  committal  of  herself  to  contrary 
views.  Yet  she  feared  to  speak  in  a  decidedly  negative 
way  lest  she  should  stir  Fergus  up  to  argument,  and  that 
was  to  be  most  carefully  avoided  in  his  already  feverir^h 
condition. 

'*  I  scarcely  know  how  to  answer  you,  dearie,"  she  said 
at  last,  in  her  tcnderest  tone.  "  Whatever  is  God's  will 
is  sure  to  be  done,  you  know.  Let  us  wait  a  little  while, 
Fergus.  Donna  worry  yersel  aboot  it  now.  It  will  be  all 
right,  ye  need  na  fear." 

Although  the  words  were  indefinite  enough  in  them- 
selves, Fergus  thought  he  caught  in  his  mother's  tone  a 
note  of  sympathy  with  him  in  the  great  desire  of  his 
heart,  and  he  threw  his  head  back  upon  the  pillow  with 
a  sigh  of  contented  resignation,  as  though  to  say : 

*' Vcrra  weel.  I'll  wait.  I  believe  ye're  on  my  side, 
my  mother.     //  7ui7/  be  all  right  yet." 

At  the  end  of  the  first  week  of  his  illness  the  fever  had 
left  him,  but  the  repulsive  eruption  was  at  its  height,  and 
he  suffered  intensely.  The  red  dots  spread  and  swelled 
and  brought  an  intolerable  itching.  So  strong  was  the 
temptation  to  tear  at  his  tormented  skin  with  his  nails 
that,  at  his  own  request,  his  hands  were  fastened  to  his 
waist  so  that  he  could  not  use  them,  thus  adding  a  fresh 
discomfort  to  his  many  miseries. 

At  times  his  mind  would  wander,  and  his  parents, 
sitting  beside  his  bed  as  he  tossed  to  and  fro,  had  such  a 
revelation  of  his  love  for  them  as   never  before,     llis 


324 


FERGUS  MAO  TAVISH. 


heart  was  exposed  like  an  open  book,  but  its  pure  pages 
held  nothing  they  need  hesitate  to  read.  What  did 
appear  most  plainly  was  the  depth  of  his  desire  for  a  mis- 
sionary life.  Again  and  again  he  referred  to  it.  Some- 
times he  conceived  himself  to  be  arguing  with  his  father 
on  the  subject,  and  the  earnestness  with  which  he 
pleaded  his  cause  was  profoundly  moving. 

Mr.  MacTavish  felt  it  deeply,  though  he  kept  his  own 
counsel.  It  was  no  easy  thing  for  him  to  give  up  the 
great  ambition  of  his  life,  even  though  he  no  longer 
could  dismiss  his  son's  longings  for  another  career  as  a 
romantic  notion  of  boyhood. 

The  days  dragged  wearily  along  amid  unrelieved  anxi- 
ety. Fergus'  splendid  constitution  was  making  a  brave 
stand  against  the  fell  disease,  but  the  issue  still  hung  in 
the  balance.  He  was  never  left  for  one  moment  alone. 
Everything  that  love  could  do  to  soothe  and  strengthen 
him  was  done.  Sleep  came  to  him  only  in  broken 
snatches.  The  torment  of  the  itching  was  too  great  to 
allow  of  sound  repose.  The  poor  boy  was  in  grievous 
case  indeed.  A  few  days  more,  and  the  question  of 
life  or  death  would  be  settled,  and  these  days  were 
anxious  ones  indeed. 


JM.^ 


CHAPTER  XX. 


OUT  OF  THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW. 


IN  the  meantime,  how  had  matters  been  faring  at  tlie 
mission  station  ?  So  far  as  Mr.  Olden  was  concerned 
•'  .y  much  the  same  as  at  Norway  House.  The  small- 
pox symptoms  manifested  themselves  the  day  after  they 
came  to  Fergus,  and  the  disease  had  run  its  course  in 
precisely  similar  fashion.  Except  that  his  wife's  tender 
care  was  denied  him,  he  lacked  no  comfort  that  his  own 
home  could  afford.  Papanakes  watched  over  him  with 
sleepless,  untiring  solicitude.  The  room  was  kept  as 
warm  and  as  neat  as  the  old  man  could  make  it,  and 
every  direction  given  by  Mr.  Olden  or  his  wife  carried 
out  with  the  most  scrupulous  accuracy. 

It  was  beautiful  to  see  the  look  of  loving  eager  sym- 
pathy that  never  left  the  Indian's  face.  This  waiting 
upon  the  missionary  was  the  purest  pleasure  of  his  life. 
He  never  for  one  moment  contemplated  any  other  termi- 
nation to  the  illness  than  triumphant  recovery,  and  there 
was  positive  inspiration  in  the  way  this  faith  manifested 
itself  in  every  word  and  act. 

**  Ah,  Papanakes,"  Mrs.  Olden  would  exclaim  to  him 
when  he  came  to  the  window  to  talk  with  her,  his  face 
full  of  serene  ho|)efulness,  ''what  a  comfort  you  are  to 
me  !  What  would  I  do  without  you,  and  how  can  I  ever 
be  grateful  enough  to  you  ?  " 

And  the  old  man  would  smile  as  with  a  consciousness 

825 


326 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISII. 


of  superior  knowledge,  for  though  he  would  make  no 
reply,  in  his  heart  he  was  saying : 

''You  need  not  trouble  yourself  about  that,  jMrs. 
Olden.  I  am  not  doing  this  in  order  to  be  thanked  for 
it.  I  am  doing  it  to  please  myself,  because  it  makes  my 
heart  happy  to  do  it." 

Fortunately  too  for  Mrs.  Olden,  tiiere  was  no  ground 
for  serious  apprehension  in  her  husband's  case.  He  was 
blessed  with  a  su])erb  constitution.  He  had  been  in 
perfect  health  when  the  contagion  fastened  itself  upon 
him.  He  possessed  sufficient  knowledge  of  medicine 
to  use  to  the  best  advantage  the  excellent  supply  of 
remedies  he  had  at  hand,  and  wliat  was  most  important 
of  all,  he  never  for  a  moment  lost  his  self-command. 
The  fever  and  suffering,  although  equally  severe  with 
him  and  with  Fergus,  did  not  succeed  in  affecting  his 
mind,  and  he  continued  composed  and  patient,  awaiting 
with  sweet  trustfulness  the  revelation  of  the  Divine  will 
concerning  him. 

Through  Papanakes  he  kept  posted  as  to  how  it  was 
going  with  Fergus  from  day  to  day,  and  gave  directions 
for  his  treatment  which  were  very  helpful  to  his  anxious 
parents.  His  one  great  trial  was  that  he  could  not  look 
upon  the  faces,  nor  hear  the  voices  of  the  wife  and  daugh- 
ter who  were  so  dear  to  him.  But  the  knowledge  of 
their  safety,  for  so  far  there  were  no  signs  of  the  spreading 
of  the  pestilence,  made  this  trial  the  easier  to  bear,  and 
no  murmuring  passed  his  lips. 

With  Fergus  the  critical  stage  of  the  illness  had 
been  reached.  The  fever  had  spent  itself,  the  painful 
pustules  on   his  face   had   shrunken  and  dried  up,  the 


FERGUS  MAC  I^AVISH. 


327 


lid  make  no 


delirium  had  entirely  departed,  but  oh  !  how  weak  he 
had  become.  His  life  seemed  to  be  hanging  by  a 
single  thread,  and  his  parents  could  not  bear  to  leave 
him  for  a  moment  lest  he  should  pass  away  during  their 
absence. 

He  had  come  to  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
and  his  feet  were  treading  the  narrow  path  that  led  down 
into  its  mysterious  depths.  He  perfectly  understood  his 
situation,  but  showed  no  signs  of  fear.  His  faith  had 
triumphed  over  all  human  weakness.  He  was  continually 
repeating  the  Twenty-third  Psalm,  and  especially  that 
wonderful  fourth  verse:  ''Yea,  though  I  walk  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil : 
for  thou  art  with  me ;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  com- 
fort me." 

*'  That  verse  is  for  me,  mother,"  he  would  say;  *' just 
as  much  as  if  King  David  was  thinking  of  me  when  he 
wrote  it,  and  I  am  sae  glad  there  is  such  a  verse,  tor  I 
dinna  fear  any  evil,  mother.  It  will  be  all  riglit  whatever 
happens,  eh,  mother  dear  ?  " 

Poor  Mrs.  MacTavish  !  It  was  not  easy  for  her  to 
make  him  an  answer  in  the  same  cheerful  tone.  Her 
heart  trembled  at  the  very  thought  of  parting  with  the 
boy  she  idolized.  Surely,  she  argued  to  herself,  it  could 
not  be  God's  will  that  one  so  bright,  so  good,  so  loving, 
the  only  child  that  had  come  to  them,  should  be  taken 
away  just  when  lite  was  opening  out  before  him  so  full  of 
promise.  Not  that  her  faith  for  ook  her.  There  was  no 
rebellion  in  her  aching  heart,  only  passionate  pleading 
for  her  darling's  .  overy.  If  the  blow  must  fall  she 
would  receive  it  witli  head  bowed  in  submission.     But 


328 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


must  the  blow  fall?  Could  not  the  destroying  angel 
stay  his  hand  even  yet  ? 

With  tremulous  lips  and  misty  eyes  she  bent  over  her 
boy,  whose  handsome  face  was  now  so  pitifully  marred 
by  the  brown  blotches  the  pimples  had  left  behind. 

"It  will  be  all  right,  dearie^  whatever  happens;  but 
you  know  we  want  it  to  happen  only  in  the  one  way." 
Then,  unable  to  control  herself  any  longer,  she  covered 
her  face  witii  her  hands,  and  burst  into  tears,  saying 
through  her  sobs  : 

**  Oh,  Fergus,  darling,  ye  maunna  leave  us.  We  canna 
live  without  ye." 

Fergus'  eyes  filled  up,  and  bis  lips  trembled  at  the 
sight  of  his  mother's  emotion. 

**  My  ain  dear  mother,"  said  he,  soothingly.  "I 
dinna  want  to  leave  ye  even  to  go  to  heaven.  You  have 
always  been  sae  gude  to  me,  and  I  love  you  and  father 
sae  dearly.  I  have  been  a  very  happy  boy  all  my  life, 
haven't  I,  mother?  " 

**  Indeed  you  have,  dearie,  and  you've  made  us  very 
happy  too,"  responded  Mrs.  MacTavish.  "And  we  want 
you  to  grow  up  to  ave  a  long  and  happy  life  as  a  man. 
Ye  wad  like  that,  wadn't  ye,  Fergus?  " 

Just  then  Mr.  MacTavish,  who  had  been  seeking  some 
much-needed  rest,  came  into  the  room,  and  going  over 
to  the  bedside,  pressed  his  cool  hand  upon  Fergus' 
flushed  forehead. 

"How  good  that  feels,  father!"  said  the  young  suf- 
ferer.    "  Ye' re  always  sae  gude  to  me." 

"  Nae  better  than  ye'll  be  tae  me,  Fergus,  when  I'm 
an  old  man,  and  you're  caring  for  me,"  returned  the 


FERGUS  MAG  TAVISH. 


329 


chief  trader  in  as  confident  a  tone  as  though  there  could 
be  no  doubt  of  his  son  reaching  a  good  old  age,  and 
looking  after  hini  in  his  declining  days. 

Fergus  visibly  brightened  at  his  father's  words.  They 
suggested  a  pleasant  picture  of  the  way  in  which  he 
would  be  able  to  prove  how  fond  and  faithful  a  son  he 
could  be. 

"  I  dinna  like  to  think  of  your  getting  old  and  help- 
less, father,"  said  Fergus,  with  an  affectionate  smile. 
"  But  I  suppose  there's  nae  helping  that,  and  if  God 
lets  me  live  it's  glad  I'll  be  to  take  the  best  of  care  of 
you." 

The  talk  went  on  in  this  way  for  some  time,  until  at 
last  Fergus  grew  tired,  and  fell  asleep  with  his  parents 
watching  by  his  bedside  like  guardian  angels. 

Although  Mr.  MacTavish  had  from  the  first  stoutly 
put  away  from  his  mind  all  thought  of  Fergus'  illness 
having  a  fatal  termination,  there  were  times  when  even 
his  strong  heart  was  troubled,  and  he  had  to  contemplate 
so  mournful  a  possibility.  And  now  as  by  the  fading 
light  of  the  day  he  studied  his  son's  disfigured  face,  and 
saw  how  frail  and  weak  he  had  become,  a  great  terror 
seized  upon  him.  It  seemed  as  if  his  boy  were  slipping 
from  his  grasp  in  spite  of  all  his  efforts  to  retain  him. 
He  could  almost  imagine  the  angel  of  death  standing  by 
the  bedside,  with  determined  face  and  outstretched  dart 
ready  to  strike,  and  in  his  supreme  agony  of  mind  he 
felt  that  there  was  nothing  that  he  could  give  up,  even 
to  his  own  life,  which  he  would  not  gladly  surrender  if 
only  Fergus  might  be  restored  to  health. 

In  the  stre;    of  his  emotion  he  involuntarily  uttered  a 


330 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


groan  that  awakened  Fergus  from  the  light  slumber  into 
which  he  had  fallen,  and,  starting  a  little,  he  inquired : 

*'  What's  the  matter,  father?  "  in  a  tone  of  some  con- 
cern. 

*' Naething  at  all,  my  boy,"  replied  Mr.  MacTavish, 
striving  to  appear  quite  at  his  ease.  ''  I  just  gave  a  bit 
of  a  grunt,  that  was  all." 

Satisfied  with  the  answer,  Fergus  closed  his  eyes,  and 
seemed  to  be  dropping  off  into  slumber  again.  But 
presently  he  roused  up  to  ask  about  Mr.  Olden,  and 
whether  Mrs.  Olden  or  Ruth  had  been  attacked  by  the 
smallpox. 

Mr.  MacTavish  was  glad  to  have  only  good  news  to 
tell.  Both  Mrs.  Olden  and  Ruth  were  in  the  best  of 
health,  and  the  missionary  had  already  shown  signs  of 
convalescence. 

*'  He  sent  word  by  Papanakes  that  he'd  be  over  to 
see  you  soon  unless  you  got  well  first,  Fergus,"  added 
the  chief  trader,  with  a  smile  of  fond  encouragement. 

**  Oh,  father,  how  glad  I'd  be  to  see  him !  "  exclaimed 
Fergus,  his  face  brightening  at  the  idea.  ''I'm  fairly 
wearying  for  him." 

*'Dinna  ye  think  your  mother  and  me  gude  enough 
company,  Fergus?  "  asked  Mr.  MacTavish,  in  a  banter- 
ing way. 

*'Aye,  indeed,  that  I  do,"  was  the  prompt  retort. 
**  But  you  know  I  love  Mr.  Olden  dearly  too.  Ye 
dinna  mind  that,  I'm  sure,  father." 

''  No,  my  boy,  not  a  bit.  We  are  na  jealous.  I  was 
but  teasing  ye  a  bit,"  answered  his  father. 

Fergus  then  lay  silent  for  a  while.     It  was  evident  he 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVISH. 


331 


ide  enoiiirh 


was  thinking  deeply,  and  so  as  not  to  disturb  his 
thoughts,  his  parents  did  not  speak  either  to  him  or  to 
one  another. 

After  some  minutes'  silence  he  seemed  to  gather  him- 
self together  for  a  great  effort.  Evidently  he  was  about  to 
say  something  to  which  he  attached  special  importance. 
With  throbbing  hearts  his  parents  awaited  his  words. 
Turning  toward  his  father,  he  began  with  a  tremor  in  his 
tone  that  showed  how  deep  was  his  emotion  : 

"Father,  I'm  verra,  verra  ill,  am  I  not?  Ye  canna 
tell  me  for  sure  whether  I'll  get  well  again  or  no." 

Mr.  MacTavish  made  as  though  he  would  say  some- 
thing here,  but  Fergus  hastened  on  : 

"  Now,  father,  if  I  do  get  well  it  will  be  because 
we've  all  asked  God  aboot  it,  and  he  has  answered  our 
prayers,  winna  it  ?  " 

Mr.  MacTavish  nodded  assent,  and  the  boy  pro- 
ceeded : 

''Then,  father,  if  God  gives  me  back  my  health  and 
strength  wad  na  it  be  only  right  for  me  to  spend  them 
in  his  work  instead  of  going  into  the  service  of  the 
Company?  " 

The  question  could  not  have  been  more  simply  or 
squarely  put.  This,  then,  was  the  thought  that  had  been 
on  his  mind,  and  which  he  had  kept  back  until  it  would 
be  no  longer  suppressed.  Evidently  his  whole  heart  was 
behind  the  question,  and  there  was  something  pathetic 
beyond  description  in  the  eagerness  with  which  he 
awaited  his  father's  reply. 

That  reply  did  not  come  at  once.  After  a  searching 
look  into  his  boy's  face,  Mr.  MacTavish  threw  himself 


332 


FERGUS  MA.C  TAVISH. 


back  in  his  chair  in  an  attitude  of  intense  thought,  and 
a  stillness  fell  upon  the  three  so  profound  that  they  might 
almost  have  heard  the  beating  o:^  each  other's  heart. 
Mrs.  MacTavish's  fingers  played  nervously  with  the 
fringe  of  the  plaid  shawl  that  draped  her  shoulders ; 
Fergus,  with  his  eyes  fixed  upon  his  father,  seemed 
scarcely  to  breathe  as  he  awaited  his  answer.  The  old 
clock  above  the  plain  mantelpiece  ticked  on  in  solemn, 
steadfast  indifference  to  the  varied  emotions  of  those 
before  it.     At  last  the  chief  trader  spoke : 

*' Fergus,  my  son,"  said  he,  in  a  quiet  tone  that  hid 
a  victory  hardly  won,  **it*s  a  hard  question  you  hae 
asked  of  me.  You're  my  only  bairn,  and  I  had  thought 
ye  wad  grow  up  to  take  my  place  in  the  Company,  and 
maybe,  if  Providence  was  kind,  rise  higher  than  I  ever 
can.  Ye  wad  hae  flir  more  to  lielp  ye,  Fergus,  than  e'er 
I  had.  My  heart  was  in  it — ay,  my  heart  was  in  it,  and 
its  nae  light  thing  for  me  to  gie  it  a'  up  noo.  There  was 
naething  wrang  aboot  it ;  surely  it  was  an  honest  ambi- 
tion. But  what  can  I  say?  "  He  went  on  after  a  slight 
pause,  during  which  it  was  evident  he  had  difficulty  in 
keeping  his  self-control : 

'*  Ye' re  in  the  hands  of  God  now.  We  canna  tell  his 
will  concerning  you — and  may  be  this  is  his  way  o'  tellin 
me  that  he  wants  you  for  his  service." 

Fergus'  face  brightened  at  this.  His  father  noticed 
it,  but  continued  in  the  same  quiet  tone : 

"God  knows  I  dinna  want  to  run  plumb  contrary  to 
his  will.  But  when  ye  talked  a])oot  being  a  missionary 
I  was  na  sure  tiiat  it  miglit  not  be  a  notion  that  ye  wad 
soon  get  over.     But  I  see  your  heart  is  in  it,  and  may  be 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


333 


ye  are  called  by  God  to  it,  just  like  Samuel  and  David. 
Well,  Fergus,  I  maunna  say  I'm  not  sair  disappointed  at 
giving  up  a'  my  bonnie  plans  for  you — that  wad  be  say- 
ing mair  than  the  truth.  But  I  will  na  stand  in  your  way 
any  longer.  If  the  Lord  gie  ye  back  yer  health  and 
strength  again  you  may  have  your  will,  and  may  God's 
ain  blessing  be  with  ye." 

Having  thus  spoken,  the  chief  trader  buried  his  shaggy 
face  in  his  hands  for  a  moment,  and  then  lifting  it  again, 
passed  his  palms  across  his  cheeks  as  though  wiping  some- 
thing from  them.  It  was  a  characteristic  gesture  with 
him,  and  signified  that  that  was  the  end  of  the  matter. 
He  had  declared  his  mind,  and  however  keen  might  be 
his  regret  at  giving  up  what  he  had  so  fondly  cherished, 
there  would  be  no  reversal  of  his  decision. 

Fergus*  face  glowed  with  joy.  His  father's  full  consent 
had  been  won  at  last.  He  could  hardly  speak  for  a 
moment.  The  revulsion  of  feeling  had  been  rather  too 
much  for  him  in  his  weak  state.  But  presently  he  said 
in  a  broken  way  : 

**  Oh,  father,  I'm  sae  glad — sae  glad.  Now  I  know 
that  I'll  get  well  again.     Just  see  if  I  don't." 

Then  his  head  fell  back  upon  the  pillow,  and  his  eyes 
closed,  and  although  his  lips  continued  to  move  no  sound 
came  from  them.  He  was  completely  exhausted  by  the 
stress  of  emotion. 

Mrs.  MacTavish  sprang  from  her  chair  with  an  ex- 
clamation of  alarm.  But  her  luisband  laid  his  hand 
soothingly  upon  her  arm: 

♦'  Dinna  be  scairt,  Ailic.  lie's  only  weary.  Let  him 
sleep  a  bit,  and  he'll  be  a'  richt.' 


f  > 


\^ 


334 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


The  chief  trader  was  correct.  It  was  simply  weari- 
ness, not  any  change  for  the  worse  in  his  condition.  He 
at  once  fell  sound  asleep,  and  slept  for  many  hours. 

When  he  awoke  there  were  cheering  signs  of  improve- 
ment. His  eyes  were  brighter,  his  voice  firmer,  his  pulse 
stronger.  His  parents  hardly  dared  say  to  one  another 
how  hope  was  springing  up  in  their  hearts,  lest  it  should 
after  all  be  baffled.  But  when  the  following  morning 
Fergus'  symptoms  were  still  more  favorable  they  felt  it 
no  longer  necessary  to  restrain  themselves,  and  rejoiced 
with  him  and  with  each  other  over  the  welcome  change, 
not  forgetting  to  lift  up  heart  and  voice  in  devout  thank- 
fulness to  God  for  having  given  their  darling  back  to 
them.  Thenceforward  there  was  no  pause  in  Fergus* 
progress  toward  complete  recovery,  and  at  the  end  of  a 
month  only  the  brown  blotches  on  the  Hice  remained  to 
tell  of  his  narrow  escape  from  the  fell  pestilence. 

True  to  his  word,  Mr.  Olden  came  to  see  him  long 
before  he  was  able  to  venture  out  himself,  and  they  had 
a  little  thanksgiving  service  together  over  the  tender 
mercy  of  their  divine  Father,  and  over  the  way  being 
now  open  for  Fergus  to  fulfill  the  purpose  that  was  so 
dear  to  the  missionary  and  to  himself. 

"Do  you  remember,  Fergus,"  said  Mr.  Olden,  'Miow 
I  told  you  to  be  patient,  and  not  to  op])ose  your  father's 
will,  for  if  it  was  God's  will  that  you  should  be  a  mis- 
sionary instead  of  a  chief  trader,  or  may  be  a  governor, 
he  would  certainly  bring  it  to  i)ass  in  his  own  good 
way,  and  at  his  own  time.  There  is  no  use  in  our  trying 
to  hurry  up  God,  Fergus.  We  are  apt  to  be  so  imi)atient, 
you  know, — to  think  our  own  concerns  of  so  much  im- 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


335 


portance,  worthy  of  such  prompt  attention  at  the  hands 
of  Providence, — and,  perhafs,  we  never  find  it  quite  so 
hard  to  wait  as  when  we  are  very  clear  in  our  minds  that 
what  we  propose  will  be  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
good  of  our  fellowmen.  Ah  !  Fergus,  this  waiting  for 
God  to  bring  things  to  pass  just  as  we  want  them,  it  is  a 
lifelong  lesson.  Maybe  we  will  never  learn  it  per- 
fectly. And  yet  how  often  we  are  fain  to  laugh  at  our- 
selves for  needless  worrying  because  the  Lord  would  not 
be  good  enough  to  make  clear  to  us  to-day  what  was  to 
happen  the  day  after  to-morrow." 

Fergus  knew  well  enough  that  the  missionary  meant 
this  little  sermon  quite  as  much  for  himself  as  for  his 
listener,  and  the  consciousness  of  this  shared  responsi- 
bility was  therefore  not  so  embarrassing. 

**  You  make  me  feel  ashamed  of  myself,  ^Ir.  Olden," 
said  he.  ''  For  indeed  I  was  o'er  impatient,  but  it  is  all 
right  now,  and  I'm  verra  happy." 

They  had  a  long  talk  together  over  his  future.  It 
would  be  very  different  now  from  a  clerkshii)  in  the  Com- 
pany. He  would  have  to  go  away  for  a  cour-e  of  study 
and  training,  and  then  there  would  be  no  more  of  the 
open  life  of  the  wilderness  until  he  returned  to  it  as  his 
field  of  labor. 

But  there  was  plenty  of  time  yet  for  all  this  to  be 
arranged.  His  health  must  be  perfectly  restored  first, 
and  not  until  autumn  came  around  again  need  he  bid 
good-bye  to  Norway  House.  When  discussing  ways  and 
means  some  days  afterward,  the  chief  trader  suggested 
that  the  best  plan  would  be  to  await  Sir  George's  annual 
visit,  as  then  perhaps  he  might  offer  to  take  Fergus  back 


336 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


to  Montreal  with  him,  and  make  arrangements  there  for 
his  entering  upon  the  course  of  study  to  be  desired  in 
view  of  his  entering  the  ministry. 

This  plan  commended  itself  to  everybody's  approval, 
and  in  the  meantime,  while  awaiting  its  fulfillment,  Fer- 
gus was  given  full  permission  to  take  any  part  in  assist- 
ing the  missionary  at  his  work  that  Mr.  Olden  might  see 
fit  to  entrust  him  with. 

The  summer  that  followed  was  a  very  happy  one  for 
Fergus.  He  was  constantly  with  Mr.  Olden,  teaching 
in  the  school,  accompanying  the  missionary  on  his  trips 
inland  or  down  the  lake  to  preach  the  gospel  at  Indian 
camps  far  from  Norway  House,  and  sometimes  even 
preaching  little  sermons  himself  to  the  younger  red  folk 
when  none  but  they  were  there  to  hear  him. 

His  parents  had  not  so  happy  a  summer.  Mr.  Mac- 
Tavish  could  not  help  sharp  twinges  of  regret  from  time 
to  time  at  the  frustration  of  his  plans,  and  Mrs.  Mac- 
Tavish  looked  forward  to  the  approaching  separation  be- 
tween herself  and  her  darling  boy  with  a  shrinking  that 
'"  ^SG(^  0  be  overcome.  A  large  part  of  the  sunshine  of 
.er  li  ,ould  go  with  him,  for  much  as  she  loved  her 
husba  she  was  necessarily  unable  to  share  in  his  chief 
interests  to  any  great  extent,  and  since  Fergus  had  grown 
up  she  had  found  ever-increasing  delight  in  his  com- 
panionship. 

Never  did  summer  seem  to  pass  so  i'uickly.  It  was  a 
particularly  fine  season,  and  Fergus  ever  after  looked 
back  to  it  as  one  of  the  brightest  periods  in  his  life.  The 
thought  of  going  away  from  Norway  House  to  see  the 
civilized  world,  and  to  learn  its  ways  gave  him  a  certain 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


337 


sense  of  dignity,  while  at  il:he  same  time  it  led  him  to 
prize  the  more  highly  what  might  be  his  last  opportunity 
for  many  a  year  of  enjoying  the  glorious  out-door  life 
that  had  been  his  almost  from  the  cradle. 

Dear  old  Papanakes  was  much  in  his  company.  As 
soon  as  Mr.  Olden  was  strong  enough  to  resume  his 
work,  and  to  go  out  in  quest  of  Indians  who  did  not 
come  to  hear  him  at  the  mission  station,  his  faithful 
attendant  gave  him  to  understahd  that  he  proposed 
henceforth  to  be  with  him  in  health  as  well  as  in  sick- 
ness, and  that  wherever  he  went  he  would  go  also.  To 
this  the  missionary  had  not  the  slightest  objection.  On 
the  contrary,  he  was  only  too  glad  to  have  the  loving 
service  of  the  best  hunter,  canoe-man,  and  guide  in  the 
district.  It  meant  a  vast  saving  of  time  and  thought  on 
his  part,  and  a  corresponding  gain  to  his  work. 

The  two  men  and  the  young  lad  were  the  closest  of 
friends.  They  talked  much  together  on  the  subject  that  was 
nearest  their  hej^rts,  the  Indian  saying  least,  but  listening 
with  grave  attention,  and  not  hesitating  to  ask  a  ques- 
tion when  the  conversation  went  beyond  his  depth.  Tt.  - 
had  some  thrilling  adventures  together,  too,  during  thau' 
summer,  more  than  once  being  in  peril  of  their  lives, 
and  escaping  as  it  seemed  only  through  the  direct  inter- 
vention of  Providence. 

**Ah  !  Fergus  dear,"  said  Mr.  Olden  after  one  of 
these  exciting  experiences,  when  a  sudden  storm  caught 
them  in  a  small  canoe  far  out  upon  the  lake,  and  almost 
overwhelmed  them,  ''sure  am  I  that  God  has  some  great 
work  for  you.  He  has  given  Iiis  angels  ( harge  over  thee 
to  keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways.    I  can  never  be  glad  enough 


338 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


'X 


that  your  father  has  consented  to  your  going  into  the 
missionary  work." 

The  conviction  that  God  had  honored  him  by  calling 
him  to  a  place  among  his  workers  was  very  strong  with 
Fergus  himself,  and  it  filled  him  with  a  strange  sense  of 
elation  that  savored  not  of  pride  nor  self-conceit,  but 
rather  of  awe  mingled  with  gratitude  for  the  single  favor 
God  had  thus  shown  toward  him. 

He  looked  forward  to  the  coming  of  Sir  George  with 
feelings  in  which  were  mingled  pleasure  at  the  thought 
of  seeing  his  kind  friend  again,  and  apprehension  as  to 
just  what  he  would  think  of  his  giving  up  all  ideas  of 
going  into  the  service  of  the  Company.  Mr.  Wadham's 
polished  chaffing  was  also  in  his  mind.  He  knew  he 
could  not  altogether  escape  that,  and  he  felt  half  ashamed 
of  himself  because  of  the  sensitiveness  that  made  him 
shrink  from  meeting  the  sarcastic  secretary. 

It  was  early  in  September  before  the  governor  made 
his  appearance.  He  had  left  Norway  House  to  the  last 
of  his  tour,  and  when  he  arrived  was  not  in  very  good 
humor,  owing  to  the  fact  that  tiie  returns  made  by  the 
different  districts  were  not  altogether  satisfactory,  there 
being  a  marked  falling  off  as  compared  with  the  pre- 
ceding year. 

Observing  that  he  was  out  of  sorts,  Mr.  MacTavish  had 
not  intended  to  say  anything  about  Fer[;us  until  Sir 
George  should  have  time  to  rest,  and  possibly  gain  a 
happier  mood.  He  quite  nnticipated  the  governor's  dis- 
approval, and  would  indeed  have  welcomed  it  did  he  not 
feel  himself  to  be  under  a  most  solemn  obligation  to 
stand  true  to  his  expressed  assent. 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


339 


into  the 

)y  calling 
ong  with 
sense  of 
iceit,  but 
igle  favor 

3rge  with 
e  thought 
ion  as  to 

ideas  of 
Vad  ham's 

knew  he 
'  ashamed 
nade  him 

nor  made 
)  the  last 
'ery  good 
ie  by  the 
Dry,  there 
the  pre- 

avish  had 
until  Sir 
y  gain  a 
nor's  dis- 
id  he  not 
^^ation  to 


In  the  evening  they  were  all  sitting  together  in  the 
chief  trader's  parlor,  Sir  Georgr;,  Mr.  Wadham,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Olden,  and  the  MacTavishes.  Sir  George,  still 
in  a  somewhat  grumpy  mood,  although  he  had  done  jus- 
tice to  an  excellent  dinner,  was  asking  a  number  of 
questions  about  affairs  at  the  ijrt,  and  unhappily  the 
answers  the  chief  trader  had  to  give  did  not  tend  to 
make  the  great  man  more  amiable,  as  the  smallpox  visi- 
tation had  seriously  interfered  with  business  for  a  time, 
and  the  returns  from  the  post  were  not  much  better  than 
those  which  had  been  received  from  the  forts  in  the 
West. 

After  this  had  gone  on  for  some  little  time,  Sir  George, 
as  if  to  change  a  subject  which  he  did  not  find  quite 
agreeable,  addressed  himself  abruptly  to  Fergus  with  the 
question : 

"  Well,  my  young  man,  I  suppose  this  is  your  last 
summer's  idling.  You're  going  to  begin  your  clerkship 
in  the  Company  this  winter,  are  you  not  ?  ' ' 

The  sudden  question  completely  disconcerted  Fergus. 
He  had  been  expecting  that  his  father  would  explain  how 
matters  stood,  and  thus  break  the  ice  for  him,  so  to  speak. 
But  now,  in  the  presence  of  all,  he  was  called  upon  to 
break  the  ice  himself,  and  he  was  in  sore  straits  as  to  just 
how  to  begin.  The  color  mounted  to  his  forehead.  His 
tongue  seemed  to  be  tied,  and  the  air  of  the  room  grew 
strangely  oppressive. 

Sir  George  noticed  his  confusion,  and  mistaking  the 
cause  of  it,  proceeded  to  rally  him  upon  what  he  con- 
ceived to  be  a  disinclination  on  his  part  to  begin  work  in 
earnest. 


ii' 


340 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


"  Oh,  '..•;"  said  he.  *' You  look  as  though  you  did 
not  altogether  like  the  idea.  Haven't  you  had  enough 
play?    You're  quite  a  young  man  now,  you  know." 

Fergus  at  this  fouid  his  tongue,  and  managed  to 
answer  in  a  low,  hesitating  tone  : 

**  'Tis  na  that.  Sir  George.  I  donna  want  to  play  any 
more.  But,  i,  yc  pleaje,  sir,  I'm  na  going  to  be  a 
clerk  at  all." 

A  look  of  livei)'  ourprl  •  came  over  the  governor's  face 
at  these  words,  and  turning  from  Fergus  to  his  father, 
he  asked  with  an  accent  having  more  than  a  hint  of 
asperity : 

**Isthe  boy  speaking  right,  Mr.  MacTavish?  Surely 
you  have  no  idea  of  letting  him  have  his  own  way  about 
that  foolish  missionary  notion — a  mere  bit  of  boyish  sen- 
timent on  his  part,  I  take  it." 

The  explanation  could  no  longer  be  delayed,  and  with 
his  wife's  assistance  the  chief  trader  proceeded  to  tell 
the  whole  story  from  the  start,  Fergus  all  the  time  in- 
tently scanning  Sir  George's  rugged  countenance  to  note 
the  effect  of  the  narration  upon  him. 

Sir  George  listened  with  grave,  courteous  attention. 
However  little  weight  he  might  be  disposed  to  give  to 
the  arguments  and  influences  which  had  swayed  his  sub- 
ordinate, there  could  be  no  doubt  of  the  latter's  sincerity, 
and  for  his  sake  he  would  show  no  lack  of  respect  for  his 
conduct  in  the  matter. 

Nevertheless,  it  was  plain  the  story  failed  to  convince 
him.  He  took  a  hard,  common-sense  view  of  the  whole 
affair.  Fergus  had  been  impressed  by  Mr.  Olden  as 
well  he  might  be.     He  b"  '  conceived  the  idea  of  taking 


'ERG ITS   MAC  TAVISH. 


341 


1  you  did 
I  enough 

)W." 

naged  to 

play  any 
to  be  a 

lor's  face 

s  father, 

hint  of 

*  Surely 
^ay  about 
yish  sen- 

and  with 
d  to  tell 
time  in- 
^  to  note 

ttention. 

give  to 

his  sub- 

incerity, 

:t  for  his 

:onvince 
le  whole 
>lden  as 
f  taking 


up  the  same  life-work.  During  his  illness  this  idea  had 
filled  his  mind  to  the  exclusion  of  other  things.  Thanks 
to  a  fine  constitution  and  the  best  of  nursing,  he  had 
been  brought  back  to  health,  and  now  he  must  needs 
imagine  that  God  had  spared  his  life  solely  because  he 
wanted  him  for  a  missionary.  A  highly  creditable  but 
altogether  illogical  conclusion,  there  being  not  the 
slightest  connection  between  the  two  things. 

Sir  George  said  all  this  in  a  tone  utterly  free  from 
offense,  but  full  of  clear  conviction  as  to  his  havinr  ,.  '^- 
cisely  the  right  view  of  the  matter.  Mr.  Wadhan  sa'  ; 
nothing,  but  it  wa.,-  evident  he  heartily  concurrvQ  vith 
Sir  George. 

Realizing  that  the  chief  trader,  unused  as  b  was  to 
the  arts  of  discussion,  would  be  hard  set  to  ant..v'cr  the 
governor,  and  would  therefore  be  very  glad  to  be  re- 
lieved of  the  responsibility,  Mr.  Olden  asked,  with  a 
deferential  bow : 

**  Might  I  venture.  Sir  George,  to  make  the  other  side 
of  the  case  a  little  fuller  than  Mr.  MacTavish  has  done  ? 
Possibly  it  may  then  appear  to  you  in  a  different  light." 

**I  shall  be  very  glad  to  give  you  my  attention,  Mr. 
Olden,"  replied  the  governor,  setting  himself  back  in 
his  chair  as  though  to  say,  *'  Now,  go  ahead." 

The  missionary  then  reviewed  the  history  of  his  com- 
ing to  Norway  House,  and  what  had  followed  thereupon. 
He  told  with  kindling  eyes  and  glowing  cheeks  of  what 
wonderful  victories  the  gospel  had  already  won,  and  of 
the  brilliant  promise  of  the  future, — how  the  poor  re^. 
men,  hitherto  left  to  die  in  dog-like  ignorance  of  the 
Saviour  of  mankind,  heard  the  word  gladly,  and  would 


342 


FERGUS  MAC  TAVISH. 


ask  him  with  piercing  reproach:  '*Why  did  you  not 
brii  n-  this  good  news  before?  "  He  declared  the  change 
wrought  in  Papanakes,  and  told  of  his  heroic  fidelity 
when  he,  Mr.  Olden,  was  smitten  with  the  smallpox. 
And  then,  calling  Fergus  to  him,  and  putting  his  hand 
upon  his  head,  he  said  : 

*'  This  boy,  Sir  George,  I  believe  with  all  my  heart  is 
a  chosen  vessel  of  the  Lord.  He  has  received  as  indu- 
bitable a  call  as  Samuel  of  old.  Worthy  and  honorable 
as  the  service  of  the  Company  is,  you  will,  I  am  sure, 
pardon  me,  sir,  if  I  venture  to  assert  that  the  service  of 
the  Lord  is  more  worthy  and  honorable  still.  The  boy's 
heart  is  in  it.  He  will  never  be  happy — never  be  aught 
but  a  distorted  growth  in  any  other  field  ;  but  as  a  bearer 
of  the  glad  tidings  to  the  Lidians  of  the  great  region 
over  which  you  have  charge,  he  will  realize  the  best  tliat 
is  in  himself,  and  the  best  that  God  has  for  him." 

As  Mr.  Olden  spoke  with  a  fire  and  eloquenc  born 
only  of  intense  earnestness,  a  marked  change  took  place 
in  Sir  George's  countenance.  Little  by  little  his  features 
lost  their  hard  expression.  It  was  evident  that  the  matter 
was  presenting  itself  to  him  in  a  different  light,  and,  if 
not  quite  convinced,  he  was  at  least  ready  to  admit  that 
there  was  much  to  be  said  on  the  other  side. 

When  Mr.  Olden  had  finished.  Sir  George  rose  up, 
knocked  the  ashes  out  of  the  pipe  that  had  gone  out 
while  he  was  listening  so  intently,  and  proceeding  to 
refill  it  from  his  tobacco  pouch,  said  in  a  thoughtfiil 
tone : 

**  There's  a  great  deal  in  what  you  have  said,  Mr. 
Olden,  and  I  shall  take  pleasure  in  thinking  it  over," 


you  not 
e  change 
:  fidelity 
imallpox. 
his  hand 

I  heart  is 
as  indu- 
onorable 
am  sure, 
srvice  of 
'he  boy's 
be  aught 
a  bearer 
-t  region 
best  that 

• 

iC'  born 
ok  place 
features 
e  matter 
,  and,  if 
imit  that 

rose  up, 
jone  out 
^ding  to 
oughtful 

id,   Mr. 


FERGUS   MAC  TAVIBH. 


343 


/er. 


>> 


When  they  parted  for  the  night,  Mr.  Olden  whispered 
in  Fergus'  ear : 

"  We  must  pray  a  great  deal  for  Sir  George.  He  can 
help  us  very  much  if  he  comes  over  to  our  side." 

In  the  morning  what  the  governor  would  have  to  say 
was  awaited  with  intense  interest,  and  when  he  did  make 
known  his  mind  Mr.  Olden  ejaculated  under  his  breath  : 

**  Verily,  thou  art  a  God  that  hearest  prayer  !  " 

Sir  George's  announcement  was  most  satisfactory.  He 
would  no  longer  oppose  Fergus'  preference  for  the  life  of 
a  missionary  over  that  of  a  fur  trader.  On  the  contrary, 
he  would  further  his  interests  in  that  direction  just  as  he 
had  purposed  doing  in  the  other.  If  Fergus  would 
accompany  him  to  Montreal,  he  would  see  to  his  having 
the  best  obtainable  educational  advantages,  and  other- 
wise being  thoroughly  well  looked  after  in  order  that  he 
might  make  fitting  preparation  for  the  life-work  he  had 
chosen. 

So  it  all  came  about  just  as  had  been  hoped.  A  few 
days  later,  amid  the  tears  and  prayers  and  blessings  of 
his  parents  and  the  Oldens,  Fergus  set  out  with  Sir 
George  for  the  city  of  Montreal.  The  voyage  thither 
was  smoothly  and  swiftly  accomplished,  and  ere  the  first 
snow  fell  he  had  entered  upon  the  course  of  study  which 
would  occupy  his  attention  for  the  next  four  years. 

How  he  won  honor  after  honor  at  college,  not  missing 
the  esteem  of  his  instructors,  nor  even  the  warm  regard 
of  his  fellow-students ;  how  he  was  ordained  to  the 
Christian  ministry,  and  then,  to  his  unbounded  delight, 


3U 


FERGUS   MAC   TAVISH. 


appointed  assistant  to  Mr.  Olden  at  Norway  House; 
how  joyous  was  the  meeting  there  after  the  long  years  of 
separation ;  how  in  due  time  he  came  to  have  a  snug 
home  of  his  own  upon  the  island,  with  Ruth  for  a  lov- 
ing, happy  helpmate ;  how  the  good  work  among  the 
Indians  extended  far  and  wide  throughout  the  wilderness 
until  there  were  many  mission  stations,  shining  like 
lighthouses  amid  the  gloom  of  paganism;  how  he  ten- 
derly cared  for  his  parents  as  old  age  crept  upon  them, 
and  made  smooth  their  pathway  to  the  river's  brink 
cannot  be  told  in  these  pages. 

His  was  a  long  and  beneficent  life,  not  without  its 
share  of  shade  as  well  as  of  sun,  but  underneath  its  trials 
and  troubles  lay  the  peace  that  passeth  all  understand- 
ing, undisturbed  as  are  the  ocean  depths  by  the  storms 
that  rage  above.  And  never  for  one  moment  had  he 
cause  to  call  in  question  the  wisdom  of  his  answer  when, 
to  the  divine  summons,  he  replied : 

*'  Here  am  I,  Lord,  ready  to  do  thy  will." 


THE   END. 


f  House ; 
I  years  of 
/■e  a  snug 
for  a  lov- 
mong  the 
vilderness 
ning  like 
V  he  ten- 
ton  them, 
;r's  brink 

ithout  its 
1  its  trials 
derstand- 
he  storms 
t  had  he 
ver  when, 


